Thrive Without Janelle: The Accountability Group

[Gramto6]

@Absolom  Me too!! Believe me!!

 

6,505 steps yesterday.

Lots of steps at World Market/Cost Plus and Hobby Lobby before dentist appointment. Even with no steps for a whole hour while spending 1.5 hrs in dentist chair, I managed to get a lot of steps!

My friend brought over a door that will work in evening. Today is going to be the last rush for building tweaks and tomorrow all the set up inside. Sunday we begin trapping and that is going to be lots of steps and very tiring. They plan to trap Mon through Wed. Hopefully we get them all by then. (I remember I had close to, and one day over 10,000 steps last Sept when we did this before!) Mix all that in with a Gastro appt on Mon morning! I expect to be totally exhausted by the end of next week! But hopefully all kitties will be fixed and liking their new "kitty hostel"!

[Gramto6]

7,075 steps yesterday.

Lots of moving coolers, organizing the room, even put down a used carpet on the floor. I finished the "kitty condo". Turned it against the wall as we hung a tarp across the room so cats already there won't be as scared as we add cats, plus maybe they won't be so quick to make a dash to the door. What a day! Lots of running around getting things done!

We got the door in yesterday still needs some tweaks. Today I need to set up the litter boxes, food and water stations and anything else we have forgotten. My friend is going to go get more traps today as we only have 8 at this point. If we catch 8 that need fixing we will be in a pickle with the rest of them.

Chewy order arrives today so there is going to be 3 huge boxes to unload too.  Also Amazon order comes today with a kibble feeder for the cats that will help keep them fed.

Some photos as it stands now. Not completely done, but able to house kitties for the trapping time:

 

 

The other photos are too large for this post, maybe they will post in another one. I'll try.

ETA: I couldn't size any of the other ones enough to fit. I'll try taking some more later.

Edited May 4 by Gramto6
added on to post

[Yeah No]

1 hour ago, Gramto6 said:

7,075 steps yesterday.

Lots of moving coolers, organizing the room, even put down a used carpet on the floor. I finished the "kitty condo". Turned it against the wall as we hung a tarp across the room so cats already there won't be as scared as we add cats, plus maybe they won't be so quick to make a dash to the door. What a day! Lots of running around getting things done!

We got the door in yesterday still needs some tweaks. Today I need to set up the litter boxes, food and water stations and anything else we have forgotten. My friend is going to go get more traps today as we only have 8 at this point. If we catch 8 that need fixing we will be in a pickle with the rest of them.

Chewy order arrives today so there is going to be 3 huge boxes to unload too.  Also Amazon order comes today with a kibble feeder for the cats that will help keep them fed.

Some photos as it stands now. Not completely done, but able to house kitties for the trapping time:

 

 

The other photos are too large for this post, maybe they will post in another one. I'll try.

ETA: I couldn't size any of the other ones enough to fit. I'll try taking some more later.

Gram, I am so enjoying seeing the progress on your "cat mansion".  I was going to call it a "cat house" but then I heard myself, LOL (apologies)!! 😆

BTW I mentioned you in the chit chat thread.  I hear there's a Zebra being sent to your state that's looking for a good home.  😉

[Gramto6]

5,256 steps yesterday. Getting ready to begin trapping.

Today will be lots of steps, first with the final set up of the food and water in the garage. Then setting traps with food and then loading ones caught in vans to go to the vet. Then more set up more traps, wash/repeat. I just hope we catch a lot today.

It's breaking my heart to see all my kitties gathered at the door wanting their breakfasts. My friend won't be here until 10ish I hope the kitties haven't scattered by then looking for mice! This is so stressful, I will be glad when it is done!

 

@Yeah No I saw the post in Chit Chat didn't have time to reply there. Actually the reserve where the zebras were going is only about 2 hr and15min from where I live!! 

[Gramto6]

(Late to post, we started at 5:30 AM today.)

7,500 steps yesterday. Nice even number.

At 1:40PM we had only trapped 3 but they are all unfixed so that is the best scenario. It is drizzly and cold and because it was so much later than they are used to eating, they all scattered to do their daily routines...among which is catching mice! Hopefully at dinner time, now that the traps are set we'll catch more.

Total for Sunday as of 5:30PM only 8.   It was pouring rain all afternoon and we finally gave up. BUT the good news is 6 of them are needing spay/neutering so these were the most important to catch first. More tomorrow!

It was a crazy day yesterday and today looks like more of the same plus a dr appt in the mix.

Woke up really early today and cats were already milling around the kitchen slider. I went out and opened the traps and came back in to check the side porch. Set that trap and went to check kitchen porch traps and already had a cat in one! It was a clipped one so went into garage house. Then checked the side porch and one in there too. This one was unclipped so it is going off to get fixed. 2 cats before 7AM!! Hope the weather holds some today so we can get as many as possible!

Total  for Monday so far 9 but only one needing fixing. May be more in the evening. Will post total in tomorrow's post.

Exhausted!! The good news is Gastro says my liver has improved a great deal and my all my functions are back to normal. He only needs to see me once a year now, but liver MRI 2x a year to watch for cancer.

Edited May 7 by Gramto6

[Gramto6]

8,167 steps yesterday.

Cat trapping takes soooo many steps!! Total for yesterday was 16 with only 2 intact. The wind picked up and was really strong all afternoon, didn't help with the trapping at all. By nightfall it stopped and I caught the last 4 for the day in the evening. I am totally exhausted.

Up early again this morning to refresh all the traps and set up empty ones, then fed the kitties in the garage. They were very calm with just me in there and scarfed their wet food.  Already have 4 for today! And I haven't even eaten my breakfast yet!

Hopefully the end is close so far we have caught a total of 30 cats! Can't be too many left...

Sunday:  8

Monday: 16

Tuesday:  4 so far as of 9:30AM

 

Edited May 7 by Gramto6
typo

[Absolom]

That's an impressive trapping record!!  I hope the last ones get in the traps today.

[Gramto6]

1 hour ago, Absolom said:

That's an impressive trapping record!!  I hope the last ones get in the traps today.

Thanks! I sure do hope we can get the rest, (there can't be that many left), today!

I definitely know of one, but she was fixed last year, so she isn't a problem. She's a smart cookie! Last night I was watching out the window and she went into a trap and I could see her kind of crouching down and wiggling her butt...next I knew she had dragged the cat food bait in a muffin cup out of the trap and then ate it!! She just isn't going to be trapped, but that is OK.  😸

Edited May 7 by Gramto6

[altopower]

This is such a huge project, @Gramto6! I'm so impressed and hope the cats continue to be cooperative. You certainly are getting lots of steps in while you do all this!

[Yeah No]

On 5/5/2024 at 10:11 AM, Gramto6 said:

@Yeah No I saw the post in Chit Chat didn't have time to reply there. Actually the reserve where the zebras were going is only about 2 hr and15min from where I live!! 

Ah, well that's practically next door in your state, LOL.  😉

[Gramto6]

15 hours ago, Yeah No said:

Ah, well that's practically next door in your state, LOL.  😉

LOL, very true! MT is a large state area wise, but low population. Now 4 zebras larger!! 🦓  🦓  🦓  🦓

[Gramto6]

7,956 steps yesterday.

Total cats for yesterday was 11 with one needing fixing.

This morning was the first time, since the kitties adopted me, that there was not a single cat at the door waiting for breakfast.   Sad, but it is a sign we are close to having them all.

This pace is really wearing me out, I ache all over and am exhausted all the time.  I really hope we get them all this time and no new ferals decide to make this their home. I don't think I can do this again!

Total cats captured as of yesterday 33 with 11 of them needing to be spay/neutered.  Hopefully. the end is near, but we won't stop until we go 2 full days not catching anything. Soon, I hope!

[Absolom]

That's a lot of unwanted kittens you've prevented!!

[Gramto6]

6,779 steps yesterday.

Late to post this morning. Up at 6:15 and was going to reset traps when I noticed one of the tipped cats that is still loose sitting on the porch. I decided to feed it and watch as it ate then bring the food in. I couldn't justify putting it through the trauma of trapping when we are so close to the end when it would just go to the garage. It did draw out another cat I hadn't seen lately but that one ran away quickly.

My friend brought over the last cat that was fixed yesterday, right after that. She agreed with what I had done and also that we only had 3-4 cats left, 2 of which have been tipped, one most likely and the 4th unknown but I'd guess tipped. I'll leave traps up today and night and that's it. We could be trapping for a year catching a stray feral here. and ther but it wouldn't have been one that was a regular here and that is just not worth it. I want my cats to be out of their "prison" so that I can clean it out and hopefully it can become a refuge for them going forward.

So grand total is:

34 total trapped
11 of those fixed
 4 still at large, 2 definitely tipped, 2 unknown but I'm guessing at least 1 of those tipped and maybe the second one too.

38 cats total. 

That number feels about right for my colony, so I do think we have done all we can. I am totally exhausted and sore to the bone. I don't have anything left to do much more.

The sad part of the story is that 3 of the females they fixed had recently given birth and probably already weaned the kittens. We have had a sudden appearance of 5 sand cranes and do have local blue herons both of which I have just learned eat small animals. If the new mothers had their kittens and they came out in an exposed area they probably met a sad end. I never saw a single very young kitten this season so I think nature controlled that population. Breaks my heart, but it is nature. Hopefully no more kittens here anymore.

Edited May 9 by Gramto6
typo

[Absolom]

I'm proud of all your hard work and likely getting all the cats done or only missing one.  This way you can keep an eye on them and possibly snag any untipped ones you see.  Sorry about the probable kittens, but at least you won't have those to trap and feed, too.  I hope the kitties see the garage as the haven it's intended to be.  Eleven is quite the haul to get fixed.

[Gramto6]

6,089 steps yesterday.

Things are winding down. One tipped cat in traps yesterday. 3 more showed up but I didn't trap them just fed and they sat out in the sun.

Today we release cats from garage and pick up all the traps. I'll have to clean up the garage as there is kibble all over! Every time a new cat went in it was wildly bouncing around for a bit and spilled some of the food dishes all over. I'll do that and my friend will be picking up the traps and then power washing them at her place.

It is done and quite successfully too!!

Final count:

Total actually trapped:    35
Of those needing surgery: (11)
At large but already fixed: 6

Total of 41 cats from my colony. I think there may be a couple more at large that are also fixed as those cats were very wary of the traps and just stayed in the background.

I'm waiting for my friend to get here to release the cats from the garage. I thought it only fair she be part of that part of the procedure too!

Their last dinner in confinement:

 

 

Notice the peek a boo guy in the white cooler...too cute!

 

This one below was one of the first trapped, has always been cuddly, after I fed, it rolled over on my feet looking for a belly scratch!

 

This little one was always quite shy.

 

Finally I can rest my poor old bones and get back to a new normal schedule with the cats and their new abode!

[Teafortwo]

@Gramto6 I've enjoyed reading the garage-transformation and cat trapping saga immensely. You and your friend are amazing and it does my heart good to know what you've done for these kitties. As a fellow cat-lover, I salute you!

I hope you can both get some proper rest now that this project is complete - but I know you will still be putting in a lot of work every day, feeding, cleaning, replenshing supplies and on and on (I've had some experience of those big Chewy boxes!).

Thank you for the daily updates on all of this - and the wonderful photos of the reconstruction and the cats! 

Edited May 11 by Teafortwo
typos

[Gramto6]

7,202 steps yesterday.

Some work in kitty house yesterday, tidying and some cleaning litter boxes, but most of that can all wait another day or so. I am still in need of the rest.

Kitties slowly left their "home" and went outside. They are rather skittish around the door to the garage.They are happy to be out and  Now I have to get them comfortable with going in to eat. It is going to take some time and I am a nervous mom worrying about that. I just have to be patient and let them go at their own pace.

Today is pretty quiet. I see a cat once in a while go into the kitty house, probably to have a snack but comes out soon after. There was only one inside this morning, I hope in the future more will sleep overnight there too. Winter, they probably will, now it is too nice out.  I'm only feeding in their house so eventually more will hang around there again. I think they all are still a bit jumpy/untrusting. It will take time for them to be totally comfortable again.

 

@Teafortwo thanks! Yes the whole process has been quite an adventure and fun to share. I hope it helps all my kitties get through all the harsh MT Winters to come!

Edited May 11 by Gramto6

[Absolom]

 

1 minute ago, Gramto6 said:

I'm only feeding in their house so eventually more will hang around there again. I think they all are still a bit jumpy/untrusting. It will take time for them to be totally comfortable again.

I'm glad to hear that so they'll adapt to the cat space and it will make your life easier and they'll have a safe place during rain and the winter.  

[precious pupp]

I've enjoyed reading about your kitties, and seeing the pictures.  Please just pace yourself and try not to overdo.  I completely overdid it yesterday with my walk, yard work, and other chores, so today I'm taking it easier.  Being a septuagenarian isn't easy, and I've joined that group this year.  Just think, the youngest baby boomers reach 60 this year.  Time flies!  We can still enjoy the ride, and for that, I'm grateful.  😸

[Gramto6]

6,064 steps yesterday.

Still settling into new normal. And still trying to rest and let my body get back to whatever "normal" it can.

Kitties are getting used to the food set up slowly, but they are figuring it out. It is going to be a few days before I am up to cleaning up inside their new home....

Taking it easy today and just enjoying watching the kitties adapt to their new home and new order of things.

[Gramto6]

22 hours ago, precious pupp said:

I've enjoyed reading about your kitties, and seeing the pictures.  Please just pace yourself and try not to overdo.  I completely overdid it yesterday with my walk, yard work, and other chores, so today I'm taking it easier.  Being a septuagenarian isn't easy, and I've joined that group this year.  Just think, the youngest baby boomers reach 60 this year.  Time flies!  We can still enjoy the ride, and for that, I'm grateful.  😸

Thanks @precious pupp! Yeah, I turn 75 on Jun 3 so I know exactly what you mean!! My friend, 68 and myself almost 75 both totally overextended ourselves trying to get this project done. I too am in rest mode for the next few days at least as is my friend! I do totally get how "Time Flies" and am very grateful to still be here to enjoy this ride!!

Edited May 12 by Gramto6

[Gramto6]

5,829 steps yesterday. Still taking it on the easy side.

Kitties beginning to get used to their new feeding plan. Some not quite sure about it, but they will come around.  😸

Garbage up the road and a few errands today is all that is planned for the day. Hopefully a lot of time in my recliner with my feet up!!

[Gramto6]

7,861 steps yesterday.

Grocery shopping and various errands always add to the count!! Other than that, I am still on take it easy mode.

I have scheduled an appointment with my Ortho (hand dr) for next Tues. I was actually surprised he got me in so soon!  My hands are paying dearly for the past 6 weeks of work. Not to mention also a hard Winter of shoveling snow! I don't have any more pressing projects so I want to get the process going for surgery now!!

[Gramto6]

6,408 steps yesterday.

Reorganized and swept up the straw on the front deck and a bit of sweeping in cat's home. Otherwise fairly quiet day.

I did call my Ortho and have an appointment for next Tuesday to get the hand surgery process going. I can't wait to finally have my hands be pain free!

[Gramto6]

5,327 steps yesterday.

I didn't do much yesterday ,trying to reserve energy for today's dentist appt. Another long one at 2 hours with 5 teeth extracted and final plates put in place while gums heal. Finally getting very close to the end!! Just a couple more appointments. Yay!

Probably will not have many steps today with the drive both ways and 2+ hours in the dentist's chair. That's just fine though, as I need the rest anyway!

[precious pupp]

I have a dentist appointment today, too.  Hopefully they won't find any problems.  Being a sugar addict as a kid growing up in the 60's, resulted in my having crowns on almost all of my teeth.  I'm glad I got to keep my dental insurance when I retired!

[Gramto6]

5,954 steps yesterday.

More than I expected considering there was zero steps for 2 hours!  A lot of pacing just to take my mind off how weird/sore my mouth felt. Finally broke down and took a pain killer then went to bed early. Slept soundly, but kind of fuzzy this morning.

This morning still sore, this is going to. take a while to get used to. Check up with dentist this morning to see how healing is going ad do any tweaks needed to the dentures. I do have a couple tender spots hope they can be smoothed out.

[Gramto6]

6,083 steps yesterday.

After dentist appointment walked around the Mall a little but had no energy to actually shop. Stopped at the grocery store on the way home for more soft foods as I think this "getting use to it" time is going to be longer than I had anticipated.

[Gramto6]

4,249 steps yesterday

I think it all finally hit me yesterday. Between the build and the teeth I had zero energy yesterday. Every time I sat in the recliner within 15 min I was asleep and would wake up 45 min or so later.

There are several sore spots in my mouth from the dentures. Needs some more trimming, hopefully I can get in by Tuesday since I have another appointment in town that day too. I know this is all part of the process of getting used to them, but putting in my lower partial this morning brought me to tears. Sigh, it had to be done but I didn't think it would hurt this much!

I've been living mostly on meal replacement drinks and yogurt.

[Absolom]

I hope they get everything adjusted soon.  

How are the kitties adjusting to the new arrangement?  Have any of them decided to sleep in their new home?  Does it make feeding easier for you?

[Gramto6]

12 hours ago, Absolom said:

I hope they get everything adjusted soon.  

How are the kitties adjusting to the new arrangement?  Have any of them decided to sleep in their new home?  Does it make feeding easier for you?

I hope so too, though I was told it takes time for the swelling from extraction sites to go down and for all the gums to settle and form to fit the dentures. With many adjustment along the way. I tried prescription pain pills for 2 nights (Thur & Fri) and had such horrific nightmares I went back to Advil. I did find some Orajel I had here and rubbed it on my gums when I had to take teeth out to rinse with salt water later in the day. Considerable pain for a while, is worth it for the overall gain.

The kitties now know where to go for food and are gradually sleeping in too. This morning, 3 were in their beds/houses. So I think they will be well used to it by the time Winter rolls around again and they will choose to sleep there.  I am going to put a heater in there when it gets really cold. 

Feeding is a dream!! One spot all the dishes in their house. Mix up their food and portion out into each dish. What used to take me 20+ mins a side now in one spot, feeding takes me about 10 min total!! And a bonus having the food inside there, not as much is getting eaten by magpies in the day and raccoons/skunks at night. Though the raccoons/skunks may not be around yet. I haven't seen/smelled any sign around.

[Absolom]

Great news on the kitties and easing your workload.

My last dental work two weeks was the time for it settling down.  I hope you get a lot of relief by then.

[Gramto6]

6 hours ago, Absolom said:

Great news on the kitties and easing your workload.

My last dental work two weeks was the time for it settling down.  I hope you get a lot of relief by then.

Thanks for that info! From where I sit right now it feels like it will take months! It is marginally better now that I am applying the Orajel every time I have teeth out for salt water rinse. I think I'll wait a bit and see if things settle in these spots before I go in for any adjusting.

 

[Gramto6]

6,026 steps yesterday.

Didn't do much yesterday, but the grocery run did add some steps. Today I see the hand dr and while in town I am going to pick up some pine pellets to try out for the litter boxes. It seems more economical and is supposed to be much cleaner smelling.

Mouth about the same maybe a bit better. I'm going to give it a couple more days before I call dentist for another adjustment.

Woke up this morning and my furnace was not running...sheesh. Apparently the internet may have gone out over night but is back now. Somehow this time, the signal from wireless to furnace was lost. I don't have time this morning to fiddle around trying to set it up again. Have to leave in a few minutes for dr appointment. Thank goodness for the stove in the living room! In time it will take the chill off most of the front part of the house. When I get home will call the furnace people to walk me through the reset.

If it isn't one thing its another!!

[Gramto6]

7,403 steps yesterday.

Dr appointment and then some small shopping in town. When I got home my friend and I hauled the huge liter tubs out of their house and carried across my yard to a back corner to dump. Amazing how heavy all that peed clay litter can be!! Even with the drive time I had a lot more steps at home than I thought.

I'm switching to pine pellet litter that is what I picked up in town. Seems much more economical and the resulting dust will be better for the environment. Plus it smells so much better! I haven't checked the litter in the kitty house this morning yet to see if they liked the pellets. Sure did smell better in there!

 I am scheduled for hand surgery 5/31. He's going to do 3 fingers on my rt hand first then after that heals, 3 on the left. The 3 fingers are thumb, pointer and middle finger on each hand. Surgery sounds easy but the recovery is going to be hard having a hand basically disabled. I'm looking at things that could be a problem most of which is opening the vial of my test strips. I'm already practicing doing everything left handed. I will be so glad when all is done and healed teeth and hands!! Then I'm taking a break from drs I hope!

Still can't eat w/out pain so eating small amounts of very soft food throughout the day. I can't decide whether it is worth a call to dentist for another adjustment  or just muscle through the pain and hope it works itself out.

[Gramto6]

5,674 steps yesterday.

I was trying to take it easy. Then as I was getting all my autopay bills written down (I'm moving all my banking to my broker, Edward Jones, as my  local bank is closing) I came across a property tax bill due 5/31 that I misplaced. It had come in as an extra state mandated reversal to a discount originally given. So I rushed madly to the PO to get the bill mailed and postmarked. While I was out I did a bit of grocery shopping. Had not planned all that!

I woke up this morning to about 3" of fresh very wet snow!! It was a good test of getting to kitties in the Winter! Feeding was a breeze and many of the cats had taken refuge over night so they know what to do. Then I had to shovel a bit of front deck to get down to Dish Satellite dish to sweep the snow off it as there was no signal when I turned TV on. Sigh, all that by 7:10am!  My poor lilacs probably won't bloom this year.

The snow is not unusual this time of year but I hope that is it for this year. With hand surgery next Friday, I don't know how I could do any of it alone. My mouth is a bit better, I just hope it has settled down by next Friday!

Edited May 24 by Gramto6
deleted random period

[Teafortwo]

@Gramto6 You have so much going on that I almost didn't reply, but wanted to let you know that I recently discovered Pretty Litter. I don't know if it's environmentally friendly like the pine, but the amazing thing about it is that urine kind of dissolves when you go to scoop it, so you end up only scooping the poop! It's very lightweight also. I don't know the cost but thought it might be an alternative if the pine ends up being too heavy when used. 

Good luck with your hand surgery and I hope the pain from the dental work lessens soon!

[Gramto6]

3 hours ago, Teafortwo said:

@Gramto6 You have so much going on that I almost didn't reply, but wanted to let you know that I recently discovered Pretty Litter. I don't know if it's environmentally friendly like the pine, but the amazing thing about it is that urine kind of dissolves when you go to scoop it, so you end up only scooping the poop! It's very lightweight also. I don't know the cost but thought it might be an alternative if the pine ends up being too heavy when used. 

Good luck with your hand surgery and I hope the pain from the dental work lessens soon!

With the pine pellet litter, the box has 3 layers (2 pans and 1 sifter). You put the pellets in the sifter layer, the other two layers are below. You do have to scoop the poop out. To sift, you just lift the top layer and sift into the layer below. That will now have the dust in it. When the cat pees on the pellets they dissolve into dust.  Lift out the pan full of dust and place the sifter with just pellets in it now, into the 3rd pan. Empty the dust, (I plan to put it in my yard under trees  and wherever there is need for some filler. It is organic and apparently it makes great mulch.) Place the emptied pan under the other two. pretty easy! And the best is the Pelletized Bedding for Horses and Small Animals, 40 lb. bag at Tractor supply is $6.99. Works just the same as  the much more expensive ones you could buy at the Pet Stores.  A big savings!!

My litter box just arrived from Amazon so I'm going to set it up for my indoor cat Millie. There are already 2 regular boxes of pellets out in the kitty house. They are mostly doing their business outside now that they are "free again". These I will have to sift with an old sifter from a long lost box. 

[Teafortwo]

Wow, that is amazing! I forgot about the sifter boxes - I only used the pine for a short time. 

[Yeah No]

Wow @Gramto6, you DO have a lot going on.  Almost too much!  I'm 10 years younger than you and that sounds like too much for ME.  I know after the hand surgery you'll probably not be able to do as much for a while which I think will be a good thing for now as you probably need some rest.  I hope you heal from everything soon.  ((Hugs)).

[Gramto6]

4,944 steps yesterday.

Tried to do as little as possible. Mouth still sore and unfortunately I think I am supposed to stop the Advil from now until surgery next Friday. That isn't going to help my comfort level at all. I need to call dr to verify this.

Thanks @Yeah No! Yeah, I have reached the limit of what I can do I think. I am trying to do as little as possible now in prep for the surgery. I have an MRI next Wednesday and that is about the only time before the surgery I will go anywhere. I've been doing small Spring cleaning/organizing things but I need to back off on even that for now.  I just wish my mouth would stop hurting. I may end up with a trip to the dentist to get an adjustment...

[Absolom]

Can someone come in and do the kitties after your hand surgery for a bit?  That should help your recovery.   Good  luck!

[altopower]

Wow, @Gramto6, you are amazing! I'm exhausted just from reading your updates about all of those cats. You've done wonders and I hope you get a well-deserved rest - and now you have a sore mouth plus the hand that will soon be out of commission, so a rest probably isn't the cards. But maybe a little one over the holiday weekend?

[Gramto6]

@Absolom, my friend that helped build the kitty house is going to help with the cats while I heal. She is also taking me to surgery and getting me settled back at home.

@altopower, I called the dentist today and she got me in for an adjustment and it did help. She said I should have come sooner...I thought the pain was just part of the process.   Another thing she told me was to just take the lower bridge out except when eating to give the gums there a chance to heal. She will see me again Tues next week to check on adjustments and do any more needed before the surgery. She said "even just a little sore, come in"! So now I know!

I will be totally resting until Tues dentist appt & Wed MRI appt. Both of those are  low key, no stress involved, so I'll go, and then come straight home. Nothing else on agenda until surgery Fri.

[Gramto6]

5,237 steps yesterday.

With crazy dentist run, what I intended to be a restful day yesterday, ended up something very different!

Going to really try again to take it really easy over the weekend. I need to start planning how I am going to do things one handed and get ready for it after surgery.  Anything I can stage prior I will get set up. Especially the cat feeding things. It is going to be interesting to say the least, but I sure am looking forward to my hands not hurting all the time!

 

[Gramto6]

5,802 steps yesterday.

Gradually getting things in order to make doing things one handed easier for a while. Paying attention to how I do things , and how I can do work arounds.  Also just a little general tidying so I don't have to do it later. I really felt like I was sitting a lot more than the step count shows. As much as I'd really like to just sit, some things have to be done daily.

[Gramto6]

5,799 steps yesterday.

I didn't do much except drag some downed branches into a pile.  Sat for a long time chatting with my friend that helped build the kitty house. She's taking me to the surgery and will help with things after.

My mouth is getting better thank goodness.  Taking the bridge out except when eating has really helped the gums heal. Still tender, but much better.

Gathering the garbage for pickup tomorrow is the extent of my plans for today.

[Gramto6]

4,977 steps yesterday.

Trying still to take it easy. Man, yesterday everything ached and both hands were really sore. It took a while and it finally dawned on me that the pain meds I have been taking, Meloxicam, then Advil during the dental procedures, have probably cleared my system. No pain meds for 7 days prior to hand surgery as they can thin the blood. Yesterday was the 3rd day. Today I'm feeling everything and not too thrilled about it!

[Absolom]

I skipped the meloxicam yesterday due to a stomach upset and really feel it this morning.  Good luck until you can go back on your regular schedule.