Thrive Without Janelle: The Accountability Group

[Absolom]

Are the nose bleeds from your nose membranes being too dry?  That happens to a lot of people with the heat on in the winter.  That could account for feeling better outside.  

The pediatrician for grandson echoed what I was told for his mother to apply plain Vaseline at least twice a day and to use the saline nasal spray in between for moisture.  Now that the kid is older, he has learned to start using the saline spray when the heat comes on and has done much better. He's also in middle school and gets out in the air in between classes and that seems to help rather being stuck in one room almost all day.  

Good luck with your appointment this week.

[Gramto6]

6,312 steps yesterday.

Still taking it easy, but doing the things that have to be done do actually add up to a fair amount of steps.

Today may be a bit better with the errands and if the crystal lady does show up. I'll take what I get at this point.

22 hours ago, Absolom said:

Are the nose bleeds from your nose membranes being too dry?  That happens to a lot of people with the heat on in the winter.  That could account for feeling better outside.  

The pediatrician for grandson echoed what I was told for his mother to apply plain Vaseline at least twice a day and to use the saline nasal spray in between for moisture.  Now that the kid is older, he has learned to start using the saline spray when the heat comes on and has done much better. He's also in middle school and gets out in the air in between classes and that seems to help rather being stuck in one room almost all day.  

Good luck with your appointment this week.

I use Ayr gel in and around my nose when it gets dry, which also helps stop nose bleeds. I hadn't used it yet this Winter as I wasn't feeling that dry and I am inside and outside frequently during the day to deal with/visit with the kitties. 😸 And I also have a big pot of water sitting on top of my fireplace/stove.  But recently, I've had a lingering slight sore throat so maybe it is something to do with it. This isn't necessarily a dry Winter thing, the last time I had a week long bout with multiple daily bloody noses was in the month of June a few years ago. Then they stopped. So I think something else is going on and will talk to my pcp next appointment.

I misread my calendar the other day, my Oral Surgeon appt is Tuesday the 8th of April, not tomorrow. I just had Tuesday on my mind I guess.... Works out better anyway what with the nose issue.

[Yeah No]

At long last I'm FINALLY getting the compression therapy I was talking about last October. That's how long it took me to finally get on the calendar with a therapist. I was told that such therapists are in short supply and some states don't even have them. I remember when I checked into it 15 years ago I was told there were only 2 in the state and they were far away and impossible to schedule. I am very lucky to have one only a few miles from me now.

This is very intensive, time consuming, tiring and uncomfortable. The therapist wraps you up every day like a mummy from top of thigh to your toes on both legs with ACE bandages, gauze and foam pads. It's crazy and you feel hot and very constricted. It's difficult to walk. You wear these awful "moon sandals" like people with broken leg casts, only your legs and feet are much fatter than that. They are uncomfortable and hard to manage. It's hard to bend your legs and when you do it's painful. You have to sleep in them and then in the morning unwrap yourself completely and re-wrap every single bandage so that the therapist can re-wrap you in them. This process takes about an hour and a half if you rush and don't have help. When my husband can he helps and that makes it take about an hour if we rush. Then I jump in the shower, get dressed in wide leg stretchy pants (I'm wearing pajama bottoms but you can't tell they are). They have to be wide enough to fit your legs in fully wrapped.

Then at your appointment the therapist massages and re-wraps you and you do it all over again. I have 5 appointments a week for 2 weeks Monday to Friday then after that 3 days a week. I've already completed my first week and am on my second. On weekends I don't get wrapped. I take the wrappings off and wash them in the machine on gentle with scent free detergent. I stuff them in garment bags so they don't get tangled, then put the bags in the dryer. I put them in with towels so the machines don't bang and jiggle. 

On the third week I start on a 3 day a week schedule. On days off I can either wear the bandages or take them off and wear compression garments.  After 5 weeks since the start of therapy she may decide to add another week depending on my progress but she thinks I'm doing really well so far. I will have to go back for monthly checkups and one maintenance re-wrapping for a while. We have discussed the types of available compression hose and garments and I will be getting 3 free pairs like @altopower mentioned last October.  Unfortunately it looks like she hasn't posted on the site since December. I'd like to hear what she has to say about this.

One thing I learned is that exercise can actually make you swell more when you have this condition and make you gain weight! I knew that was happening but no one ever confirmed it until my therapist told me. I could not believe that when I was on 2 cruises and doing 16,000 steps a day and watching what I ate I actually gained 4 lbs. on each cruise which I have not lost since. This is why I don't judge people who have weight issues. I know a lot of my weight is fluid retention. Hopefully this treatment will help get rid of some of it in my legs. But I still have excess being stored in my midsection. Unfortunately there's no therapy for that. And it's not that easy to lose because it wasn't gained from eating.

Note that the photo below is after being wrapped with 4.5 lbs. of foam, bandages and gauze. My legs and feet look at least 2-3 times the size!

[lookeyloo]

@Yeah No

Thanks for this update.  I am so glad you are getting what you need close to home, finally!  Here's to successful treatment!!

[Gramto6]

@Yeah No So glad you are finally getting the treatment you need! And close to home too!  Interesting point on exercise actually increasing swelling.  Something to ponder.  Thanks for the update!

Also, I have been missing @altopower's posts too. I hope she is doing well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6,684 steps yesterday.

My errands helped the count and a little very light housework. My goal right now is to be as careful as possible that I don't do anything that will be too straining and bring on a nose bleed. So easy does it for a few more days is the plan.

[Gramto6]

6,325 steps yesterday.

Had to go out on an unexpected errand yesterday. My new deed came in and they spelled my son's name wrong so had to take it back to my lawyer to have it corrected. Nothing around this whole inheritance/will process is going easily!! Ran a couple other errands while out, then came home and did some chores.

Feeling better but didn't do anything heavy. Since I have a long drive to the dentist tomorrow and a couple errands up in town, today I will take it really easy.

[Gramto6]

6,706. steps yesterday.

Feeling better, almost back to 100%. Good thing as I have lots of driving to do today and after dentist, errands too. Then nothing for about a week. So I'm off to get ready to go. At least it will be a nice day to drive for a change.

[Gramto6]

6,453 steps yesterday.

Holding steady and feeling pretty good so not going to push for any more.

So glad I went to the dentist yesterday! What a difference the reline makes!! They make a new mold of the inside of roof of mouth right over the existing plate. It is pretty thin but it fits so well now I don't even need an adhesive. Suction holds it in place! So much more comfortable!

Nothing particular on agenda, but I do have a pile of towels and sheets that need washing so that will start the day.

[Gramto6]

6,787 steps yesterday.

Holding pretty steady for now. Still keeping it slow and easy and that seems to be working. Only have a lingering cough left to get rid of, but with this weather, allergies are going to start to kick in with all the same symptoms.

As I expected, there are a couple of sore spots on my reline job that will need to be addressed next week. He said to give it a week before we started tweaking it. Same thing happened with the immediate plate.  With the tweaks , this is better while I learn more about the implants.

Edited March 29 by Gramto6
typo

[Gramto6]

So late to post, all day I've been running late....

6,739 steps yesterday.

Another good day. Yesterday an old friend from CA called out of the blue. We were neighbors in a small town in the Sierras. We haven't talked in years and were somehow able to just pick up where we left off. We talked for a loooong time! The unexpected long phone call added a lot of steps I wouldn't probably have had. (I always pace when I talk on the phone.) What a great surprise!

Today, I think I will do a bit of leaf raking in the yard. That's about all other than normal inside things.

[Gramto6]

6,914 steps yesterday.

Did some raking in the yard and then boxing up some of the leaves to put in garbage today. Gotta use some of those Chewy boxes!

It is a damp day outside so I think more going through papers and sorting/tossing some is best project for today.  Only thing I have to do today is take the garbage up to the road.

[Gramto6]

5,477 steps yesterday.

I spent a lot of time going through papers so didn't get as many steps, but the satisfaction  of the end result was worth it. Today I want to do more. I also do need to do laundry today and that adds steps, I'll just have to see what the day brings besides those plans.

[Gramto6]

7,592 steps yesterday.

My friend that helped build the kitty house called and we talked for an hour and a half. I pace while I talk on the phone so that added a lot of extra steps yesterday! She is still having various health issues beyond the occluded artery to her brain which has been resolved some. She's tough and rolls with each punch but it does get he down sometimes.

I do need to do the laundry I didn't get to yesterday, today and the rest of my plans are to continue clearing out old paperwork in the office. I'm sure there will be other things too....

[Gramto6]

6,345 steps yesterday.

So far no problems related to the steps. Keeping in this range seems to be the right spot for now. Since I am on a roll with the cleaning/clearing I'm going to keep going until something more important needs to be done, or distracts me. 😸

[Gramto6]

6,349 steps yesterday.

Pretty much a repeat of the day before. Down to almost the same number of steps! Still feeling good, no new aches or pains so I will go with the flow and keep doing what I have been doing.

The daytime weather is improving 40's so far this weekend into the 50's low 60's  but cold nights still. It was 17° this morning at 7AM. So I think some raking of leaves may be in order this weekend too while the weather is nice.

[Gramto6]

6,318 steps yesterday.

Activities were pretty much the same as the last two days. Today may be a little less when I factor in time to visit with my friend. She is coming over in the afternoon to help change my water filter outside. My hands even with the trigger fingers fixed, still don't have the strength to do a lot of things. Arthritis was lurking there besides the Trigger fingers. sigh...  But with the good weather in the future, I certainly will have ample opportunity for yard work!

[Gramto6]

7,148 steps yesterday.

My friend came over to help with a couple outside chores. While we were visiting later, I mentioned all the boxes of past taxes I needed to dispose of, and asked if they would be able to burn them. She said "of course"! So that lead too a lot of lifting and carrying boxes through the house and stacking in her truck. I'd say about 20 very heavy boxes. Got a lot of steps in the process. Back is feeling it today, but what a relief to have them out of here and so easily disposed of!!

Today I am going too take it a bit easy, just to rest sore muscles.  Tomorrow I have a drive up to town to see the Oral surgeon. I need a lot more knowledgeable info on implants before I commit. 

[Absolom]

I have one implant.  It was a process that I'd go in and he'd do something and then I waited weeks or months for the next step.  It's been great after it was all done.  If they promise to do it all very quickly, I'd say look very closely into it and perhaps get another opinion or two.

[Gramto6]

Thanks for the input @Absolom! That is why I am going for a consult first.  I've googled a lot about them, but still have questions. I know the process will take a long time, months between steps. The issue around here is that there aren't that many choices to go to for implants without driving a long distance so I am trying to stay as semi-local as possible.

Right now I am so well pleased with the reline on my upper plate, I am beginning to second guess myself about going forward (when I have the $$) with the implants. Lots too take in and think about.

[Absolom]

It is a big decision.  Mine was easier.  It was do the implant or have a hole in my mouth.  I guess he did barely mutter something about a bridge.  I had a defective tooth that cracked decades ago.  We saved it with multiple efforts and crowns, but reached a point where there was really nothing else left to do that I would consider.

My neighbor with a similar problem couldn't talk her husband into paying for the implant.  I told her she shouldn't cede her medical decisions to his tight wad ways and put him on a diet of legumes until she said enough grocery money to pay for implant.  She still has a hole where the old tooth was.

I have a friend who has had all her teeth replaced with implants.  They would do a group at time so it took quite awhile.  She did not ever have dentures though for comparison.  

Just don't consider going cheap.  I know a woman who did that and the implant fell out!!  I didn't even know they could do that.

 

[Denize]

My sister had an implant after she lost a molar to an abscess. To fill the hole in her jaw to have something to screw the implant into, they took a tiny piece of one of her own ribs (instead of a cadaver bone) to grind up and stuff in the hole. Then it took a couple of months for that to become part of her jawbone. Then the implant was added.

[Gramto6]

I really appreciate your comments @Absolom.  If I had had a lot of $$ when I had to go dentures, I probably would have done implants at that time. I could barely afford the dentures with no dental ins to help costs. Now that I potentially have the $$ coming sometime in a year or so, as soon as the house sells, I want too explore implants thoroughly. Then I will make a decision. And no, I will not go for any cheap "deals" etc.!

Interesting @Denize, I already have a cadaver bone in my neck in my fusion, so I'd have no problem with cadaver bone for a bone graft, if needed. But that is way down the road. I have very strong bones for a person of my age, almost 76. No change in density in over 10 years according to my last bone density test last year. Hopefully I wouldn't need any grafts.

I fully realize this will be a very long procedure and to be honest not really looking forward to that part...

[lookeyloo]

Interesting topic.  I will only add a story and not an opinion because I am not experienced. Most people I know who have gotten implants have done it the way y'all describe. I have one friend whose dentist had done her implant posts at the time of extraction telling her he can see in there because it is already open. As far as I know she hasn't had any issues. Not recommending. Just an interesting perspective. 

[Gramto6]

9 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

Interesting topic.  I will only add a story and not an opinion because I am not experienced. Most people I know who have gotten implants have done it the way y'all describe. I have one friend whose dentist had done her implant posts at the time of extraction telling her he can see in there because it is already open. As far as I know she hasn't had any issues. Not recommending. Just an interesting perspective. 

That is interesting. Actually it makes a lot of sense.  If the tooth comes out clean and the gums are healthy, why not just sit the post and let it heal at one time?  I suppose all things have to go just right and one must be be healthy overall for that to be an option. It probably doesn't work for most people though, sigh. I have already had all the extractions obviously and they are well healed so that wouldn't be an option for me. I'd take it if it was!

I am kind of excited to actually, talk to the Oral Surgeon tomorrow and get some facts and recommendations for my own situation.

[Absolom]

1 hour ago, lookeyloo said:

Interesting topic.  I will only add a story and not an opinion because I am not experienced. Most people I know who have gotten implants have done it the way y'all describe. I have one friend whose dentist had done her implant posts at the time of extraction telling her he can see in there because it is already open. As far as I know she hasn't had any issues. Not recommending. Just an interesting perspective. 

There are places that will do the entire process in one day: from extraction to placing the crown.  I asked my dentist about it and all he did was roll his eyes and get back to working on my tooth.  In fact there is one place in Los Angeles that at least a couple of years ago was advertising to do your entire mouth in one day.  All I can say is, I wouldn't be able to tolerate that.  I think the longest appointment I had was booked for two hours and I got out in a bit over 90 minutes and I was drained. If he worked for 90 minutes on one portion of the process on one tooth, I cannot fathom how they even get a quadrant done in one day.  

One reason they can't/don't set the post at the time of the extraction is so many people need to do the bone graft.  That has to do its thing for about two months IIRC before it's good to go.  It might be four months.  

Edited April 8 by Absolom

[lookeyloo]

Agree, it might work for some people, couldn't for others, most won't opt for it.  I'm not in the market, just thought it was interesting.

[precious pupp]

13 hours ago, Denize said:

My sister had an implant after she lost a molar to an abscess. To fill the hole in her jaw to have something to screw the implant into, they took a tiny piece of one of her own ribs (instead of a cadaver bone) to grind up and stuff in the hole. Then it took a couple of months for that to become part of her jawbone. Then the implant was added.

My daughter has had a bone graft to prepare for an eventual implant.  She had a similar situation as @Absolom.  Dental work can be complicated, but it's amazing the results when it's done, correctly of course.

[Gramto6]

6,839 steps yesterday.

More than I thought I'd end up with. I was taking it easy because of my sore back, today it feels pretty good, hopefully up for the long drive up to town to see Oral Surgeon. With all the driving I probably won't have a great number of steps today, but hopefully I'll come home with good answers to my implant questions so I can make informed decisions when the time comes. All of the implant stuff is far in the future, but at least I'll know if it is even something I'll want to pursue.

[Absolom]

3 hours ago, lookeyloo said:

Agree, it might work for some people, couldn't for others, most won't opt for it.  I'm not in the market, just thought it was interesting.

For most people it's fairly straight forward procedure.  I have a relative who is now on the way to the third specialist dentist because of the issues being encountered.  I think they're going to do the implant but with some very specialist issues with the extraction and bone graft.

Mine was about as straight forward as they get apparently and my regular dentist handled it all with relative ease.  

[Gramto6]

5,659 steps yesterday.

I expected a lower number with the driving and all the sitting around at the Oral Surgeon's office. I did add back some steps doing a grocery shopping while there.

Appt with Oral Surgeon went OK yesterday. Most of my bones in my mouth are fine for implants w/o any grafting, but the top very front isn't. That removes a pallet free set of implants which would be very, very expensive. He isn't a fan of grafting bone in that area as it doesn't hold/last for some reason there. Discussed doing lower ones and getting rid of the bridge there and that is where I am leaning at this point. I am semi OK with just doing that, considering how much better the upper is feeling after the reline. Decisions on anything further will be made later. He did draw up a treatment plan for just the 4 lower teeth (2 at a time due to cost) but I told him I would most likely have to wait for my money to come in before I can proceed.

What worried me was on the ex-ray it showed something metallic on my arteries on each side of my neck. He said vascular clamps most likely from the spinal fusion surgery where they accessed my spine from the front. I was shocked that no one ever told me of this! But once home and really thinking about it I realized I had my stud earrings still in 2 per ear and I'd bet that is what that was. I can't imagine a dr leaving them in my body and not telling me. I will call them this morning and have him double check the x-ray. If it is in fact clamps I need my medical dr to know this too!

Nothing much planned for the day but I'm sure some things will pop up that will get the steps up... always manages to!

[precious pupp]

Thank you @Gramto6, for the nudge I needed to go through old paperwork and shred a lot of it!  I need to keep up with it at least yearly, and not let it pile up so much.  

Good luck with your dental work.  I've had so much of it over the years that I think I'm immune to novocain!  I only have six teeth that are uncrowned.  

[Gramto6]

11 minutes ago, precious pupp said:

I only have six teeth that are uncrowned.  

LOL, I only have 7 teeth left that are my own...and they are all crowned!  I hear you about feeling like you're immune to novocain!

[Gramto6]

6,343 steps yesterday.

I did some yard work and a little house work, but just couldn't get back into the sorting and tossing for some reason. Today I'm ready to get back to it and what ever else decides to pop up. Feeling pretty good, no flare ups in knees or back which is nice. So this will be the pace I'll keep for the time being.

I called the Oral Surgeon's office and they reviewed the x-rays. Yes there are metal clips in my neck on both sides. She could also see the earrings separately in the x-ray. She said it is common for them to leave them in after some back/neck surgeries. She said they aren't any cause for concern. They clip off vessels so blood can't flow to certain parts. When I had my spinal fusion they went in from the front to get to my spine and had to move everything in the way to the sides. I guess after the fusion some vessels were not needed any longer? So they left them clipped? It is just weird no one ever told me I had these in me. I will tell my pcp to put it in my files as I don't know if they could be a problem if I ever needed an MRI or CAT scan of that area.

[Gramto6]

6,581 steps yesterday.

Steps came from doing housework and some yard work. The laundry always adds extra steps with the gradual taking things out of the dryer to finish hang drying. No extra activities to boost the count. Probably will do about the same today. 

This seems to be a good spot, I am not hurting at this level and feel I am doing a decent amount of moving  so I'm happy.

[Gramto6]

6,025 steps yesterday.

Yesterday was about the same as the day before. Still have a bit more to clean out the file cabinet. Then begin organizing what I want to use each one for. With the drizzly morning, I probably won't get in any yard work. Also some vacuuming is needed in the 2 spare bedrooms  and other projects will pop up I'm sure while I do that.

[Gramto6]

5,671 steps yesterday.

The last few days have all been about the same activity-wise. I've been feeling pretty good so have kept the level about the same.

I don't know if I will be able to post in the mornings the next 3 days before I leave for Jury Duty, I have to be on the road at 7:30am at the latest to get to the Courthouse on time. It is 50 miles away. I'm hoping the trial is cancelled, I have to call after 5:30pm today to verify it is still on. I'm crossing my fingers the answer is "no"!!

If I do have to go, (Mon-Wed), my steps are going to be pretty low what with the driving and then sitting all day. Frankly don't know how my knees are going to react to all the sitting! Not looking forward to it at all.

 

[Absolom]

Does your state have an age where you can opt out of jury service for nonspecific medical reasons?  I have already done so here.  It's so nice not to have to reply that I have xyz disorder every year or two.  If they thought I'd drive 50 miles to serve, they'd definitely have me with excuses.

[Gramto6]

9 hours ago, Absolom said:

Does your state have an age where you can opt out of jury service for nonspecific medical reasons?  I have already done so here.  It's so nice not to have to reply that I have xyz disorder every year or two.  If they thought I'd drive 50 miles to serve, they'd definitely have me with excuses.

Sadly my appointed trial is going forward so I have to serve for the 3 days stated. Boo!

In MT there is no upper limit for age, darn! And I don't suffer from any physical or mental impairments that would get me a dr's note to get me off, so I'm stuck. It has been 10+ years since I was called so hopefully it will be that long again and I can plead something....

[Absolom]

I didn't need a doctor's note just the name of the disease/disorder.  I went once and was put on a jury and it caused a flare up.  That's when I said never again.  I was in my 30s.  

The internet says you're exempt at age 75.  I hope it's right.  

Oh it's a really new law: SB 137, which was passed by the Montana Legislature on March 28, 2025, exempts jurors 75 and older from service.  I don't know if it has to be signed by the governor or when it takes effect.  

There is hope you won't have to do that drive for jury duty after this round.

Edited April 14 by Absolom

[Gramto6]

5,936 steps yesterday.

Today will probably be less, but as it turns out may be close.

After going to the Courthouse and starting to read all the rules and explanations of the process, the Judge called all 50 of us to the courtroom to tell us the case had been settled over the weekend. She had to gather us still until the agreement was formalized in court on Monday. So we were all released and it counts as us serving for this "Jury Year". (The Jury Year runs July to July.)

So glad I don't have 3 days of disrupted schedule! We still get paid for mileage and the $12 for showing up. If one serves also there is an additional $13/day.  I'm happy with the $12 plus mileage.

I had barely gotten back home close to 10am and the crystal lady messaged me that she was on her way. Sheesh, our appt was for the 21st! I quickly messaged back, wrong date, but OK to come. Figured might as well since I had nothing else planned for the day... Just not quite how I wanted to spend the free day, but it cleared out more crystals so in the end, it was OK by me!

Ohhhhh, thanks @Absolom!! I didn't bother to look it up as before there was no upper limit. I'll be 76 in June so that puts me out of the game from now on, thank goodness. I'll have to do some searching and see where that Bill is at this point.  I looked around at the people called for this case and the great majority well over half were definitely over 65 and older. 

[Gramto6]

6,226 steps yesterday.

Not what I was expecting given what I thought I'd be doing all day. Having the crystal lady over added lots of steps, back and forth showing things and packing selected items. And just following her flitting around. The day felt off all day due to the early morning and all the driving and the unplanned visit. Looking forward to a calm day today.

@Absolom There is a bill going through the MT Legislature (SB137) to add people over 75 as item #5 to the "undue hardship/illness" list of reasons for declining service. From what I can find online it is about 75% through the process of passing. That seems a fair option to me.

[Gramto6]

5,562 steps yesterday.

I had planned to take it really easy yesterday but of course I got sidetracked. I started working in the "library" filled with shelves of books. The closet has a bunch of boxes with Christmas decor and other things I didn't want to store in the garage. Some old toys and some Barbie items/and sewing patterns that I can probably sell. Got tired of going through office stuff. 

Then took something to my "Pantry"/storage space". (It is a connecting space between the existing home and the newer addition about 5' x 10' shelves all around, that I use as pantry/storage. It closes off with doors from original home on one side and to addition bathroom on the other.) And got stuck there sorting through things. Sigh, two places now 1/2 done. Maybe one will get done today...

Edited April 16 by Gramto6
typo

[Gramto6]

6,055 steps yesterday.

Feeling pretty good, no new aches or pains from all the lifting and moving of boxes and the cleaning. Steps have settled pretty much at a consistent number which is working for me. 

Today I want to replace a couple of the box shelters on the front deck for the cats. I have emptied a couple of very sturdy shipping boxes from padded shipping mailers that will make long lasting "houses". While  I'm on a roll with the clearing out, more sorting inside too.... The other project I have for the next couple of days is to get items weighed and priced for the crystal lady on Monday.

 

[lookeyloo]

Great updates!  I am curious as to how goes the cat colony.  I am wondering if any new unneutered ones wander in.  Is the intention to care for your colony and let them pass naturally and ranks diminish by "attrition"?   

[Gramto6]

40 minutes ago, lookeyloo said:

Great updates!  I am curious as to how goes the cat colony.  I am wondering if any new unneutered ones wander in.  Is the intention to care for your colony and let them pass naturally and ranks diminish by "attrition"?   

At this point my colony is pretty well established and protective of its space. I haven't seen any stray/outsider cats at all. One neighbor's cat tries to cross the road and come down my driveway to the food in their house but a bunch will chase him away as soon as he gets too close.  They keep a close watch on their territory it seems.  No new kittens since the last was spayed last summer.

As long as my health allows, I plan to stay here and let the colony die off as they naturally eventually do.  Some will wander off and find another home, though I haven't noticed much of a decline yet. 

The TNR people actually collected 53 cats from my property! I actually only had 25-30 that I knew were mine so we rounded up a bunch of ferals from the neighborhood. I could tell when we released them after being fixed how the "outsiders" darted off in the opposite direction of my house and my cats ran to under my front deck. I'm pretty sure those strays never came any where near here again! 😸

[Absolom]

That was a great community service if you got an extra 20 to 30 cats fixed!!  Good going and I'm glad "your" cats aren't inclined to let new cats in.  You can have a gradual population decrease as you age.

[lookeyloo]

1 hour ago, Gramto6 said:

At this point my colony is pretty well established and protective of its space. I haven't seen any stray/outsider cats at all. One neighbor's cat tries to cross the road and come down my driveway to the food in their house but a bunch will chase him away as soon as he gets too close.  They keep a close watch on their territory it seems.  No new kittens since the last was spayed last summer.

As long as my health allows, I plan to stay here and let the colony die off as they naturally eventually do.  Some will wander off and find another home, though I haven't noticed much of a decline yet. 

The TNR people actually collected 53 cats from my property! I actually only had 25-30 that I knew were mine so we rounded up a bunch of ferals from the neighborhood. I could tell when we released them after being fixed how the "outsiders" darted off in the opposite direction of my house and my cats ran to under my front deck. I'm pretty sure those strays never came any where near here again! 😸

thanks for the update.  It's a great plan!  We love cats too and have had as many as four inside.  But, now we are out of the business.

[Gramto6]

I still have the OG mama/grandma/great grandma/etc cat as an inside cat. She took right to living inside (in her previous life next door she was inside/outside). She is quite content to watch the "kids" out the window!  She is the sweetest cat I have ever had, I just can't understand her previous owner leaving her behind when she moved!!

This is OG Mama Millie loving her box.

 

 

[Gramto6]

6,137 steps yesterday.

Activity was much the same as yesterday, although I did run out to pick up a rx from my PO box, deposit crystal lady's check from Monday and popped into the grocery store while I was out. That trip out kept my steps in the 6,000 step range, which is where I am happy for now.

Today I want to finish up in the back of the house, the library. Also build the cat houses. It's good I didn't do it yesterday, as the weather was crazy. It was sunny late morning, cloudy early afternoon, then drizzly later afternoon which turned into a light snow, which then turned into a pea sized hail. By 6:30PM the sun was out again and almost all the hail was melted by 7:30PM. Typical MT Spring! Today's forecast is 55°/26° and sunny, but rain again on Monday so maybe today is not good either for refreshing cat houses. There is still plenty to sort through inside the house.

[Gramto6]

6,311 steps yesterday.

Feeling good and still in I guess what I should call "Super Spring Cleaning" mode. It really feels good to see so much "stuff" that has been hanging around go away!! Or be filed/stored in a much smaller space. but mostly gone!!  

I did a little raking outside yesterday to uncover my day lilies in the front of the deck. Last year when my neighbor came over to mow my lawn he mowed them all down.   This year I want to be sure he can see them and leave them alone.

Nothing particular on the agenda for today other than the ongoing clear/sort and organize. Also probably should do a laundry. Time to put the heavy duty Winter clothes away and start bringing out more of the Spring/Summer clothes.