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Small Talk: The Cabana


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I had a soulmate cat, too - even though all my boys were special, Beanie Baby was somehow "the one".  I've got to say, though, that my last remaining indoor kitty, Babalu has seen me through the loss of all the others, and is such a great comfort to me - he really has wormed his way into my soul in a special way.

I'll take the crazy cat lady moniker - with pride.   :-)

  • Love 4
5 hours ago, walnutqueen said:

I had a soulmate cat, too - even though all my boys were special, Beanie Baby was somehow "the one".  I've got to say, though, that my last remaining indoor kitty, Babalu has seen me through the loss of all the others, and is such a great comfort to me - he really has wormed his way into my soul in a special way.

I'll take the crazy cat lady moniker - with pride.   :-)

Yeah, I get it.  The one we have left is my cat.  He was supposed to be my daughter's.  He's the German Shepard version of a cat.  He is a one person cat.  He thinks I am his mom.  He follows me wherever I go.  He growls when he sees or hears someone outside.  He won't 'play' with me because I'm 'mom'.  He kneads on me - no one else.   He hangs out by the bed until I wake up.  He won't go on the bed because the other cat did.  He's extremely territorial - he has 'his' spots and he has no problem leaving presents to let those spots be known.  Don't get me wrong.  We all adore him but I think I'm the only one who understands him and his behavior.  Well, yeah, I'm mom.  Nuff said. 

  • Love 4

OMG, I am tearing up reading all your posts!

I have a Cornish Rex, (as seen in my profile picture, yes that is him on top of my crock pot), he is an amazing cat, so affectionate I literally have to peel him off of me, he is my constant companion.  I think he is beautiful even though he looks like an alien kangaroo, every year on the anniversary of my getting him I write his breeder a thank you letter letting her know how special and wonderful a cat she produced.  He has a wall full of ribbons from my showing him at cat shows (surreal experiences) along with a title, he is now a Grand Premier.  I cannot even fathom how to say goodbye to a pet, this is my very first pet ever and he is so dear to me, reading all of your posts has been so heartwarming.

  • Love 8
On Wednesday, March 08, 2017 at 1:05 PM, QuiteContraryMoni said:

Thank GOD someone has seen this! I mean, what the HELL!? I don't even know what to say right now. D'amato is a sad, sad case, to be sure. Shows you that money can't buy everything!!

I do not seek out the bizarre, but once you've seen "scientific experiments" that include dolphin jack-offs and LSD injections  to teach dolphins English through their blowholes ... well, all bets are off and I am officially resigning from the human race.  suck it, sickos.

Edited by walnutqueen
  • Love 2
10 hours ago, breezy424 said:

Crap.  I just 'can't'.  Things like this just haunt me.....

Do yourself a favor, then, and DO NOT watch a show that mentions a "woman who talks to dolphins" or whatever that horror story was - I need some SERIOUS brain bleaching.  I am still hurt/crying, and hate just about every human being on the planet (except all you guys, and maybe the Dali Lama).   :-)

  • Love 1

Last month my daughter had a snow day and since we had lost power as well we decided to go to the movies.  My daughter who loves dogs and asks for one pretty much every day wanted to see A Dog's Purpose.  Even though the movie had received bad publicity for a scene where a dog actor is tossed into a pool of roiling water we decided to go anyway and so glad we did.  It's a wonderful movie.  Really fantastic family movie about dogs and their bonds with people.  I totally get why LVP says she likes dogs more than she likes a lot of people.

  • Love 5

Omg, you guys. I don't know where the best place is to post this but I had a sighting that I wanted share and it's semi Housewives related. 

I was standing behind Rick and Kathy Hilton at LAX airport today and couldn't help but quietly nerdgasp before deciding to make a few observations since I'm apparently a total geek who gets excited about RHBH sightings, even the minor ones. I've snarked several times in the past about what I've felt is a snooty attitude from Kathy any time she's been mentioned or appeared on the show, but I have to say that I came away with a very favorable impression of her. Rick strikes me as a little less friendly/humble, but I ultimately had a positive impression of him as well. 

I will also admit that I was surprised that Kathy seemed both elegant and glamorous in an almost understated way. She had on the obligatory designer apparel and whatnot and was wearing big glasses, but I noticed that she immediately took them off to address a woman who worked in the airport restaurant where we were all standing in line. She didn't put the glasses back on until they were on their way to their boarding gate. She also seemed very warm when three women who appeared to be in their forties approached her and told her they "love [her] family". One of the women also complimented her appearance and Kathy responded by saying something like "it's mostly makeup but thank you, honey, you're sweet." She definitely looks thinner and shorter in person. (She was wearing flats. She seems taller than Kyle who was also wearing flats when I saw her years ago but I'm not sure since my Kyle sighting was so long ago now.)

Rick seemed to be putting the girl who was taking his order through her paces and she seemed a little stressed because he changed his mind a couple of times and the line continued to grow. In terms of appearance, I thought he looked older in person. He was wearing a red baseball cap and seemed less put together than his wife for lack of a better way to put it.

They're also very warm with each other and I thought that was sweet to see. I get the impression that they're just as lucky as Kyle and Mauricio are in that sense. 

The main thing that told me that they seem like nice people? They cleaned up after themselves! The place was very crowded and there was only counter space available, so I was about five chairs down from where they were and this person next to me just left all of their leftovers for some poor person to clean up. Not only did the Hiltons throw their stuff away, but I actually saw Kathy use a napkin to wipe away the crumbs into a bag. 

For anyone who's seen that failed pilot where Kathy and Kim, (and Kyle?) are trying to "help" homeless people---this took away some of the bad taste that misguided effort made for me. Maybe not all of it, but they strike me as nice people. 

Sorry for the lengthy post but most people I know don't care about the Housewives, so I thought I'd share here. 

  • Love 19

Well, from the other side of the pool,  I love daylight savings time.  I love that it's lighter later.  I can be outside later.  I can go for a walk later (especially after dinner).  I can work outside later.  I can mow the lawn after dinner.  I can grill outside more.  I can get more vitamin D.  I look forward to it and hate when we have to 'fall back'.   I'll go back to the other side of the pool.

  • Love 7
13 hours ago, riffraff said:

Oh geeze Lisa and Rosia. Lisa putting the pink shit in the salad. Like come the fuck on. You know that Rosia takes care of anything. Why the hell pretend at this point. We know you are so BUSY. Let Rosia do her job. Shes been with you this long. 

They've shown LVP cooking before, and her book includes recipes: https://www.amazon.com/Simply-Divine-Elegant-Affordable-Entertaining/dp/0762449233

Quote

When I got married, I taught myself to cook and found that I had a feeling for food. Ken and I have made food—the selection, preparation, and serving of it—our life’s passion.

I’ve always thought it sad when I’ve heard people complain about taking care of their husband or children. It’s an honor to be a caretaker—especially in the kitchen. I’ve never found cooking to be a chore. It’s a gift you give the people you love.

And as I am always on the go rushing from here to there, when I do stop and spend time in the kitchen I find it’s quite therapeutic. Making fresh food and serving it to your loved ones is good for the soul.

Many of my friends are intimidated by entertaining, dreading the thought of an audience witnessing their latest culinary disaster. But I tend to see the humor in most situations. If things go awry when you are entertaining—and trust me, I have had my share of catastrophes like a dish exploding with all my roast potatoes in it on Christmas Day—take a second, take a step back, and just laugh. If you laugh at yourself, your friends will laugh with you, too.

Shepherd's pie: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/real-estate/housewife-lisa-vanderpump-shows-throw-fab-party-nyc-apartment-article-1.1046656 

Roast chicken: http://lvpsangria.com/roasted-chicken-with-lvp-red-sangria/

  • Love 3

So... a few days ago I stepped on my little guy's paw in the dark and he yelped really loud.  Loud enough that my daughter came down and he seemed ok.  Friday night I noticed he was favoring it and had a little limp.  Um?  I tried to feel his paw but he was having none of it.  Damn.  I called and made an appointment with the vet.  Got in today (well, actually yesterday now) and she was able to feel it and didn't think anything was broken and that it was a soft tissue injury.  She continued to give him an exam and felt a mass.  Crap.  He just saw two different vets four months ago and who she is very aware of their excellent reputations and they felt nothing.  She was concerned and took xrays.  His one kidney was very enlarged.  This is not good.  Oh, BTW, it was the three month anniversary of putting our other cat down.

His blood tests were great when they were taken four months ago which really concerned her as well.  Our poor little guy had also lost weight and she decided to do another blood and urine test.  I can't believe I'm going through this again.  After coming home, I started doing my research and it's not good.  It's only been three months.  I can't go through this again so soon... 

At least he did finally settle down on his pillow in the living room later in the afternoon and slept, and then surprised us when he appeared and jumped up on the arm rest of the chair I was sitting on in the family room.  He settled in on the hassock and curled up with his head on my leg.  God, I had to go to the bathroom so bad but I delayed it for an hour because he looked and slept so contentedly.   The test results should be back Monday.  After what I went through with our other cat and my mistake, I know that it's about quality of life, not prolonging it.  All around, it just sucks.

  • Love 6
7 hours ago, breezy424 said:

So... a few days ago I stepped on my little guy's paw in the dark and he yelped really loud.  Loud enough that my daughter came down and he seemed ok.  Friday night I noticed he was favoring it and had a little limp.  Um?  I tried to feel his paw but he was having none of it.  Damn.  I called and made an appointment with the vet.  Got in today (well, actually yesterday now) and she was able to feel it and didn't think anything was broken and that it was a soft tissue injury.  She continued to give him an exam and felt a mass.  Crap.  He just saw two different vets four months ago and who she is very aware of their excellent reputations and they felt nothing.  She was concerned and took xrays.  His one kidney was very enlarged.  This is not good.  Oh, BTW, it was the three month anniversary of putting our other cat down.

His blood tests were great when they were taken four months ago which really concerned her as well.  Our poor little guy had also lost weight and she decided to do another blood and urine test.  I can't believe I'm going through this again.  After coming home, I started doing my research and it's not good.  It's only been three months.  I can't go through this again so soon... 

At least he did finally settle down on his pillow in the living room later in the afternoon and slept, and then surprised us when he appeared and jumped up on the arm rest of the chair I was sitting on in the family room.  He settled in on the hassock and curled up with his head on my leg.  God, I had to go to the bathroom so bad but I delayed it for an hour because he looked and slept so contentedly.   The test results should be back Monday.  After what I went through with our other cat and my mistake, I know that it's about quality of life, not prolonging it.  All around, it just sucks.

I am so sorry your furbaby is ill.

  • Love 6
On 3/17/2017 at 3:08 AM, Feline Goddess said:

Campaigning to save dogs from being eaten while munching on a hamburger makes someone a hypocrite. 

 

On 3/17/2017 at 9:05 PM, Runnergirl said:

Gotta disagree. There's a difference between respect for life—and the taking of it for food—and torture. Humans have historically hunted animals and also showed deep respect, so it's not hypocritical for LVP to try and help these dogs and still consume meat, especially is she is conscientious about the source. 

 

On 3/17/2017 at 9:46 PM, QuiteContraryMoni said:

Agreed. Also, I don't need to give someone a justification for my dietary choices. I'm a grown-ass woman.

 

On 3/17/2017 at 10:27 PM, TattleTeeny said:

And let me tell you, even from the other side of the food-choice fence, one has to justify it nonstop! Good lord, sometimes at functions, I dread letting anyone see me not eat meat! I swear, one more weird, pointed question disguised as concern about protein, and I'll take a bite right out of a person!

I don't eat mammals, smoked fish, poultry sausage, or meat substitutes. Why? Because I don't like the taste—just as some people don't like brussels sprouts. But I all too often encounter someone who badgers me for a "better" (meaning acceptable to them) explanation.

To make them go away, I tell how I grew up fishing, and could wring a chicken's neck if I had to (for example, a zombie apocalypse). But there's no way I could catch a cow, pig, sheep or goat—much less take it down.

Seafood? They're underwater insects. And I'd try deep-fried mealworms or crickets if I could find some.

  • Love 2

I actually like the taste of burgers, seafood, and various other non-vegan things--most of all cheese! But all that is simply less important to me that not using animals, so I don't do it anymore. But I have had people--mainly non-vegans, oddly enough--outright argue with me that I am wrong for finding vegan substitutes for these things (e.g., a meatless burger that tastes like a real one as opposed to your run-of-the-mill veggie burger that mimics the shape only) because if I like meat I should "just eat it then." Talk about missing a point! And that's why in some social situations, I try to be pretty inconspicuous with my food (go for a pasta dish in public; makes things somewhat easier).

  • Love 5

Seriously, Tattle Teeny? What a messed up argument. I mean if the goal is not consuming animals or animal products, it really doesn't matter how you get there.  What possible difference could it make to anyone if your meat substitute tastes like meat?

It's not good enough to just do the thing they want you to do, you gotta do it their way?  So weirdly controlling!

  • Love 2

Bit of a topic change ...

I have a small dog who looks kind of like a budget version of Giggy. Giggy lite (all the hair loss, none of the glitter). He is from a rescue, so we know nothing about his back ground, but I think he was a dog who was raised in a house full of cats because he does cat-like behaviors, like licking his paws and then wiping his face with that paw. Kind of grooms himself like a cat. He also sits up and wraps his tail around himself in a cat-like fashion. 

Has anyone had any experience with this, having had cats only and then introducing a puppy? If so, did that puppy end up acting like a cat? 

  • Love 8
1 hour ago, Jel said:

Bit of a topic change ...

I have a small dog who looks kind of like a budget version of Giggy. Giggy lite (all the hair loss, none of the glitter). He is from a rescue, so we know nothing about his back ground, but I think he was a dog who was raised in a house full of cats because he does cat-like behaviors, like licking his paws and then wiping his face with that paw. Kind of grooms himself like a cat. He also sits up and wraps his tail around himself in a cat-like fashion. 

Has anyone had any experience with this, having had cats only and then introducing a puppy? If so, did that puppy end up acting like a cat? 

No, but its an interesting observation. I have a Silky Terrier that I groom like Giggy because its cute: shorter body cut, long hair for Dr Seuss (that's what my neighbor calls them) paws and a bit of a neck mane. He's the most cat like dog I've ever had but that's really just because he flies through the air and lands lightly whereas most dogs sort of land which a thud.

  • Love 5
2 hours ago, steelcitysister said:

Does such a product exist? I'm serious. I'd try it.

YES! In fact, I have had two and both are glorious: Gardein's Ultimate Beefless Burger and Field Roast's FieldBurger. They're both super-easy to prepare on the stove, and I can't wait to bring them to barbecues, where I tend to feel almost jealous of the meat people. And I hear there's one that is even better but I have not been able to get my grimy paws on it: the Beyond Meat brand. And Field Roast also has a hot dog that is not only not eraser-like, but really good; it even gets crispy!

Quote

 

Seriously, Tattle Teeny? What a messed up argument. I mean if the goal is not consuming animals or animal products, it really doesn't matter how you get there.  What possible difference could it make to anyone if your meat substitute tastes like meat?

It's not good enough to just do the thing they want you to do, you gotta do it their way?  So weirdly controlling!

 

Maybe they don't want my kind getting in on their fun? Of course, their fun usually also includes talking to me about (my perceived lack of) protein while revealing they don't know a thing about their own, haha! You eat "normal" food in the USA, you're getting enough protein without much effort.

Edited by TattleTeeny
Changed "not only eraser-like" to "not only not eraser-like" so as to actually make the point I intended to make. Ugh, this day.
  • Love 4
4 minutes ago, TattleTeeny said:

YES! In fact, I have had two and both are glorious: Gardein's Ultimate Beefless Burger and Field Roast's FieldBurger. They're both super-easy to prepare on the stove, and I can't wait to bring them to barbecues, where I tend to feel almost jealous of the meat people. And I hear there's one that is even better but I have not been able to get my grimy paws on it: the Beyond Meat brand. And Field Roast also has a hot dog that is not only eraser-like, but really good; it even gets crispy!

Thanks, TT, I am going to look for those products (not a veg or vegan, but do try to do what I can). Every veggie hot dog I have ever had has tasted like some sort of paper product, so it's good to know there are better ones out there.

My son's vegetarian friend was with us at Christmas and I made her some veggie "Chik'n" (see, even the manufacturers do it! Take that critics!) tossed in gyoza sauce I got at Trader Joes, and she said it was really delish. (They were Yves brand if you are interested in trying them).

  • Love 2

Maybe I will! 

I would recommend just about anything from the Gardein brand--the "crab" cakes are miraculous and my omnivore BF likes the "chicken" nuggets and the burgers. There are also "beef" crumbles that work really well for tacos and stuff. 

As for vegan cheeses, I find that the less expensive ones like Daiya are serviceable but not great--they're almost always a bit better when melted. It's the more artisanal ones that are really good, though the Follow Your Heart brand has yellow slices that I swear taste just like deli American. Fooled my cheese-loving friend with it once (not on purpose; he ate it and then asked if my "weird non-cheese is as good," haha!). The Daiya cream cheese though is heinous and I threw mine away immediately. But the Tofutti brand has a much better facsimile.

Also, it's actually pretty easy to make a spreadable "cheddar" that is awesome; it's cashew-based and you really need just a blender and a container with a lid.

Holy crap, you guys! I only just now realized that this comment thread isn't of the "miscellaneous" category, and that it is part of the RHoBH ones! Good lord, and I read for a living.

Edited by TattleTeeny
  • Love 3
10 minutes ago, Jel said:

Thanks, TT, I am going to look for those products (not a veg or vegan, but do try to do what I can). Every veggie hot dog I have ever had has tasted like some sort of paper product, so it's good to know there are better ones out there.

My son's vegetarian friend was with us at Christmas and I made her some veggie "Chik'n" (see, even the manufacturers do it! Take that critics!) tossed in gyoza sauce I got at Trader Joes, and she said it was really delish. (They were Yves brand if you are interested in trying them).

I went to a BBQ at a famous vegetarian's house and they served Tom Burgers. A wonderful honey wheat bun and all the regular fixens but the main ingredients were onions slow cooked with a bit of BBQ sauce and home grown beefsteak tomatoes cut thick to be "meaty" like a burger. They were wonderful. The vegie hot dogs :^p

  • Love 3
22 minutes ago, TattleTeeny said:

Maybe I will! 

I would recommend just about anything from the Gardein brand--the "crab" cakes are miraculous and my omnivore BF likes the "chicken" nuggets and the burgers. There are also "beef" crumbles that work really well for tacos and stuff. 

As for vegan cheeses, I find that the less expensive ones like Daiya are serviceable but not great--they're almost always a bit better when melted. It's the more artisanal ones that are really good, though the Follow Your Heart brand has yellow slices that I swear taste just like deli American. Fooled my cheese-loving friend with it once (not on purpose; he ate it and then asked if my "weird non-cheese is as good," haha!). The Daiya cream cheese though is heinous and I threw mine away immediately. But the Tofutti brand has a much better facsimile.

Also, it's actually pretty easy to make a spreadable "cheddar" that is awesome; it's cashew-based and you really need just a blender and a container with a lid.

Holy crap, you guys! I only just now realized that this comment thread isn't of the "miscellaneous" category, and that it is part of the RHoBH ones! Good lord, and I read for a living.

Thanks for all the great info, Tattle Teeny.

PS We're in the Small Talk thread, so it's all good. I think.

  • Love 3
14 minutes ago, Almost 3000 said:

I went to a BBQ at a famous vegetarian's house and they served Tom Burgers. A wonderful honey wheat bun and all the regular fixens but the main ingredients were onions slow cooked with a bit of BBQ sauce and home grown beefsteak tomatoes cut thick to be "meaty" like a burger. They were wonderful. The vegie hot dogs :^p

Toms burgers sound fantastic -- love onions. Will have to look for those.  

Famous vegetarian!? ::Whistling casually, looking at fingernails:: Any chance a name could be dropped?

  • Love 1

I apologize for all this but I do find writing things down and having the understanding of many of you posters very comforting.  I got the test results today for my little guy and overall the results were good.  However, he still has this 'mass'.  Ok.  It's a tumor.  He's not really eating.  My daughter gave him an appetite stimulant last night (we dissolved the pill in water and put it in a syringe).  She's such a trooper and caught him off guard.  It's not really working.  We discussed it as a family and decided that we don't want this guy to go through a sonogram, biopsy and chemo.  The vet totally got it because of his age and a heart condition.  So, I'm watching and waiting and determining when to end it.  It sucks.  They can't tell you when they've had enough.  You have to 'reason' it.  This is the worst part of having pets.

Thank you so much to my fellow posters who have 'liked' and understood my posts.  It means so much. 

  • Love 7

I had the happiest cat in the world until he "acquired" a kidney disease (after I had to put him in a kennel while I had surgery).  He was there for six days & came home sick, really sick.  Puking, diarrhea, no appetite for ten months.  Many vet visits, trying a multitude of foods, bottled water, test after test.  He was embarrassed because he couldn't make it to the kitty litter & howled with pain during the night.  Enough for him & enough heartache for me.  That was August, 2013, & my heart still aches for that little yellow tabby who was nearly 15, that I got when he was 4 mos.  Tears ....

  • Love 5
10 minutes ago, breezy424 said:

I apologize for all this but I do find writing things down and having the understanding of many of you posters very comforting.  I got the test results today for my little guy and overall the results were good.  However, he still has this 'mass'.  Ok.  It's a tumor.  He's not really eating.  My daughter gave him an appetite stimulant last night (we dissolved the pill in water and put it in a syringe).  She's such a trooper and caught him off guard.  It's not really working.  We discussed it as a family and decided that we don't want this guy to go through a sonogram, biopsy and chemo.  The vet totally got it because of his age and a heart condition.  So, I'm watching and waiting and determining when to end it.  It sucks.  They can't tell you when they've had enough.  You have to 'reason' it.  This is the worst part of having pets.

Thank you so much to my fellow posters who have 'liked' and understood my posts.  It means so much. 

I am so sorry. Make the most of the time you have left with him. Sending HUGS!

  • Love 3

First, thanks so much for all the info, TattleTeeny! My previous attempts at going meatless were never long-lasting but I'm going to give it another try with your suggestions. Now, about this:

 

5 hours ago, TattleTeeny said:



Holy crap, you guys! I only just now realized that this comment thread isn't of the "miscellaneous" category, and that it is part of the RHoBH ones! Good lord, and I read for a living.

Fear not!  You probably saw this--

 

4 hours ago, Almost 3000 said:

The best I can do is they were the fruit before noon people. ;^)

 

--a comment that (even if this is the Small Talk thread) brought it back safely into the HWs Universe.  Did you (did anyone other than me?) watch the HWs of DC? Do you remember that little hatchet-faced Lydia who ran a modeling agency? She made the on-camera statement that her models never ate anything but fruit before noon. So, deliberately or not, Almost 3000 saved the day and wins the Meatless Monday Award.

  • Love 2
Quote

Holy crap, you guys! I only just now realized that this comment thread isn't of the "miscellaneous" category, and that it is part of the RHoBH ones! Good lord, and I read for a living.

I'm the one who brought the food-shaming talk here. All the comments I quoted were from the episode thread!

Edited by editorgrrl
It all began when someone called LVP a hypocrite for eating meat.
  • Love 1
2 hours ago, breezy424 said:

I apologize for all this but I do find writing things down and having the understanding of many of you posters very comforting.  I got the test results today for my little guy and overall the results were good.  However, he still has this 'mass'.  Ok.  It's a tumor.  He's not really eating.  My daughter gave him an appetite stimulant last night (we dissolved the pill in water and put it in a syringe).  She's such a trooper and caught him off guard.  It's not really working.  We discussed it as a family and decided that we don't want this guy to go through a sonogram, biopsy and chemo.  The vet totally got it because of his age and a heart condition.  So, I'm watching and waiting and determining when to end it.  It sucks.  They can't tell you when they've had enough.  You have to 'reason' it.  This is the worst part of having pets.

Thank you so much to my fellow posters who have 'liked' and understood my posts.  It means so much. 

I'm so sorry Breezy. 

It is hard to know. My 17 year old cat Axel would repeatedly rally then slip back further than before and did that for three months. We finally set date and  Dr. Sal agreed it was time. 

Your love will tell you when it's time and your decision will not be wrong as it is made out of love.

We're here for you.

Thinking of you and wishing you and comfort.

  • Love 5

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