Compostable Kate

I'm looking after Mack again for a few days.  I first looked after him when he was about 6 months old, and he just about got the better of me then.  He peed on every last mat, rug or bed - multiple times - including his own.  He would do it just after he'd weed outside.  To me, it seemed deliberate.  He'd wait until I took my eye off him, and then pee on Dexter's bed (again).  I've never done so much laundry in such a short time, or been so angry with a dog.  Six months on, he hasn't peed on anything at all inside, although I still watch him with some suspicion when he's sniffing about.  However, he's replaced peeing on Dexter's things to humping Dexter, or if not humping, stealing his toys.  When he leaves Dexter alone, it's usually only to bother the cat.  Mack seems to think this is the best fun he's ever had.  Dexter, on the other hand, has become quite aggressive towards Mack, especially over toys.  Mr D's had to have his time-outs

According to the vet, it's most likely that Freddy is the instigator of the fights he's been getting into.  Based on the scratches on his head and chin, that is. I took him to the vet today to get his FIV vaccine.  He didn't have it when I adopted him, as he was going to be an indoor cat, but now that he's been out a few times - firstly by escaping, and lately by my allowing him out - he needs to have his FIV vax.  As he's already  been in some scrapes, and been scratched and punctured a few times, he was also tested to see if he had already contracted the virus.  Preliminary tests look like he's OK, and I'll find out in about 3 months for sure. The vet had to check Fred for a fever, but Fred kept clamping down on the themometer whenever the vet tried to insert it!  I really don't blame him; surely they can take a temperature some other way?!?  But no fever, which indicates he doesn't have any infections going on.  I have to keep an eye on his

I think today must have been declared National Slow Driving Day , and I was the only not to know about it.  Not that I'm a speeder (I have no sympathy for people who get speeding fines), but I do like to drive as fast as is allowable, according to the conditions.  Nothing irritates me more than people hanging about at a green light, or driving 10km or more below the speed limit, when it's a clear, dry day.  I especially dislike drivers who drive at 50kph in a 60 zone, but then continue at 50 through a 40kph zone. And it seemed to be endemic today (as opposed to yesterday, which was "Let's see how fast we can drive in a torrential downpour with zero visibility; first one to drop under 60 is a wimp!") But it could have been worse.  I could also have found myself playing an impromptu round of  "How Many Random Manouevres Does It Take For Me To Beep You".  This is when the driver ahead speeds up, slows down, brakes and/or swerves/merges (or a combinati

As I can no longer watch much live telly, due to the sad lack of reception, I've started renting TV shows on DVD (an entire season for $7 a week; much cheaper than Foxtel!).  As Season 4 of "Bones" wasn't available, I've decided to start watching DS9 from the beginning.  I've seen Voyager, Next Generation and Enterprise from start to finish (oh, except for the last 2 episodes on disk 6 of season 2 of Enterprise, as Dexter fetched it for me and left his mark), and only ever seen a few eps of DS9, although most of the last season. Having seen the first 3 episodes, I can understand why it's not always the favourite incarnation of the Star Trek universe, as it gets distinctly weird and esoteric, with explanations of linear timelines and lots of vision sequences.  I can see how it ties in, having seen other episodes (it gets similarly weird towards the end, though), and knowing how much the Bajoran religion features throughout.  Perhaps I have less patience w

This is the THIRD time the cable on my hand controls has snapped.  The THIRD time.  I was driving along Brunswick Street (not even accelerating) when the cable pinged and sprang apart.  There were still a couple of strands connected, but I didn't trust them to hold for much longer that the rest of it.  Fortunately, the cable only controls the accelerator; the brake is operated by a solid bar, so that still works when the accelerator goes.  I was able to get to the Blockbuster carpark, so was at least off the road (and while I was there returned my DVD...). That's where I ended up the first time this happened, and I spent hours waiting for the RACQ, then the RACQ's buddy, so I could get my car driven home for me.  As I still had cable at this point, I decided to risk it, rather than have all that waiting around again.  I knew I could just stop if I needed to. On the way, I experimented with using my foot on the accelerator - for the first time in about 13 years!  I have

I had a particularly bad setback yesterday, after a bit of a mixed week in terms of my diet.  I'd been shopping with Dexter in the early afternoon (after spending the previous day and a half in my PJs, too exhausted to function) and he whined and begged for pats from people the whole time (this is the same after any promo event we do which involves pats from the general public).  I was frustrated with him already when I got home, but still needed to go over to Coles.  I'd bought a food processor (yes, another one; the other one died after one use) and a water filter and went to drop them in and get a new bag before heading over. However, on our way out, rather than shutting the door for me, while I kept Fred inside, Dexter just bolted , absolutely bolted away down towards the ramp (afterwards I thought that there are probably baby possums in the trees, as it's springtime), and Fred followed him. I had to catch Dexter first, as he's the one that can get in the most t

My healthy eating plan isn't going as smoothly as I'd hoped.  Fatigue is playing a part, meaning that I'm not cooking a proper dinner when I get home from work, and instead eating pots of yoghurt or even packets of biscuits (they were low-fat, high fibre ones, but they were still biscuits). Working for 5 days in a row last week really derailed me, but after a 3-day weekend, and only 1 and 1/2 days in the office so far this week (2 to go), I'm slowly getting back on track.  I've made a huge pot of 5-veggie bolognese, with veggie mince, which will last me for ages.  On Sunday/Monday I'll do something else, and fill the freezer even more. I just need to keep plugging away, and just starting over when I lose the plot (as I did yesterday, and, er, the day before).  It could be worse, though, I could not even be trying . Next, I need to work in some more exercise.  I'm doing a few sit ups here and there, and I am out and about quite a bit, pushing up hills a

I have had pancakes one more time, but then got rid of the maple syrup, and left the eggs out of the fridge to give to Dexter, rather than having them tempting me in the fridge.  I did have chocolate when I was in the office on Thursday, though.  Still, overall I'm going OK. I didn't reach my 5 veggies on Saturday, with only some pasta sauce contributing.  Yesterday I did better, as I went to dinner at Kathy's and she'd done heaps of great veggie stuff, and I hoed in happily! Today, I am determined I will have my 5 veggies.  I still have veggies in the fridge, and I have the makings of chilli to cook up today, so there is no reason why I should fall short.  I'm sure I'm better for it already, although not sleeping well is hampering my exercise efforts.  I did go out for a walk with Dexter on Thursday morning (woohoo!), but apart from getting myself up Kathy's steps last night, have not had any real exercise. I don't know that I'll manage more t

I did make pancakes last night.  A reasonably small batch, but with lashings of butter and fake maple syrup.  It did take care of my sweet cravings, and I'm doing OK today.  Still no chocolate, still no lollies, but a lot of fruit and juice!!  I'm aiming for my 2 & 5, but it's always been easier for me to get the fruit in, rather than the veggies. However, I should steam some beans and pumpkin to go with my zucchini slice.  Or I have a potato that still looks edible.  Baked potato, veggies and veggie gravy.  That sounds good. I'm really thirsty, though.  I'm drinking water, juice and diet coke, and am up to at least 6 glasses today, but still thirsty, and with a faint headache.  I'll just keep on drinking until it all goes away. I'm pretty tired, but trying hard not to be too lazy.  My naps today haven't been too restful, mostly as I've either had people coming (cleaners) or have had to go out shortly (RBH appointment), or Fred's been y

I can feel myself weakening, especially as I've just realised that I have the makings for pancakes in my pantry and fridge. Very dangerous territory! I'm pretty tired at the moment, especially as my two days off work involved a remarkable amount of work, and I didn't get in as many naps as I should have. I feel like I haven't had a day off since last Wednesday, even though I have had quite a lot of time at home. I'm hoping that eating better and being generally fitter and healthier might mean that I no longer need that one day per week where I just sleep. I call them "crash days", when I am just incapable of anything other than shuffling from bed to couch and back again. I can feel myself heading for one, if I'm not careful. But I've made a good start to my return to proper eating, with plenty of fruit and vegetables. I even went without chocolate again today, even though at one point I had decided it would be OK. I'd had my lunch, and ha

I'm feeling quite pleased with myself this week. For one, I've spent more time in the office this week than in the last few combined. It feels good to have finished a few things and caught up a little. Of course, there is still a ton of stuff waiting, all of which is important and top priority! I've been working in the non-profit sector long enough to know that this will always be the case, no matter how many hundreds of hours I plough into it! I've been struggling lately with fatigue, pain, apathy etc, and just generally feeling out of sorts and not up to scratch. I was wondering if it was another step down in my downward trend, but I guess I was just tired and needed rest, as I'm feeling OK today (after 3 consecutive days in the office), and, as I've said, had a reasonably productive week. Of course, my house is still somewhat shambolic, but not as bad as it can get. Thanks to Fred piddling in places he shouldn't my floors are quite clean, as I was forced