Today started with Bear having diarrhea in his crate.

Today started with Bear having diarrhea in his crate. Shaun slept downstairs last night, but he isn't feeling well and didn't hear Bear whining to get out. 😕

We know Bear is not supposed to fall until after July 3rd, so we couldn't give him a proper bath in case he might slip in the tub. He didn't enjoy being wiped down for as long as it took him to get clean.

We got a call from the vet that nothing is wrong with Harley (the cat who peed on the couch last week). So I guess he was diagnosed as an asshole. 😂 Fun. We'll just have to keep an eye on him.

Other than that, we gave the dogs some bones yesterday evening. Since they can't go outside unsupervised, Cub decided to bury his in the couch. Then he proceeded to worry over it and check on it anytime anyone came near. He bopped Harley with his muzzle for getting too close! 😂 We had to un-bury it and end his anxiety. He can have it back once the yard is normal again.

I'm low on life force, but hanging in here. These goofy creatures help. But if I'm slow to respond to comments or messages, it's me - not you. ❤️

I found this beauty at the grocery store.

I found this beauty at the grocery store. She was the last one left. I think it's a Mammillaria of some sort. I have to do some research.

It's fuzzy AND growing in clumps! My heart! ❤️

We were checking the menu of a new coffee place...

We were checking the menu of a new coffee place today when we saw this. I wonder how that happened. 😂😂😂

We cleaned a bit.

We cleaned a bit. I didn't do a marathon cleaning day like I normally do on the weekends, but it helped.

I think I'm about to have to get back on my list bullshit. There is no one so aimless as a Blu without a list. 😂

I'm about to go clean our bathroom and then shower. This is going to sound super gross (and it is), but Balthazar has been shitting in the tub since we moved him upstairs (so for a few months now). It's better than when he was having diarrhea on the carpet downstairs. He's on meds and his poops look a lot better (and are more firm), but I wake up and clean the tub, go up during the day and clean the tub, and also clean it before I go to bed.

I don't mind. I don't see it as any different than when your parents or grandparents are at the end of their lives and need help in that area. I never scold him because if he felt ok with using the litter box, he would. This is just how the end of life goes. It's not easy or pretty, and it's often messy and a lot of work. But I'd rather have my cat than an always-clean tub. At least until he's ready to go.

I took this video yesterday. Balthi is clearly not ready to go. He's always done the "rub down your leg and flip at your feet" for as long as I can remember. I'm glad I got it on video because it's just too cute. He's a sweet old man. ❤️

I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed.

I'm feeling pretty overwhelmed. I have been for weeks and it hasn't eased up yet. Every chance I get I hide in my bed. I'm concerned this overwhelm is triggering breakthrough depression.

I've DoorDashed my current favorite snack and plan to do some housework after I digest. I like my house and want to take care of it. I always feel better after I do. Maybe being productive will lift my spirits a bit.

I spent most of the day with my plants.

I spent most of the day with my plants. Got a few neat pics.

My little collection of Aloe

This tiny cactus in the front looks like it's growing a bloom. Check out the little swirl on top.

I just love this because it looks like fangs.

This pretty lady bloomed again.

This cactus is showing out.

This cactus is showing out. I love her so much! ❤️

Thank you, Patricia! She's one of my favorites! 😊

This poor boy misses being outside.

This poor boy misses being outside. There's no way we can let him go by himself with the state of the yard. Soon, buddy. ❤️

This is a "volume up" situation.

This is a "volume up" situation. I started getting a migraine around 5 this morning and Shaun sent me photos and videos of the cuteness I was missing. Here is the video. I guess Bear was in a silly mood this morning. 😂

Today was Balthazar's follow-up appointment.

Today was Balthazar's follow-up appointment. He was ready. When I went upstairs to get him he was already in his carrier. Of course he came out to greet me, but he went back in easily. He's such a chill, sweet, lovey old kitten.

His appointment went well. He pretty cooperative and purred through his exam. He showed the vet his whole personality - foot fetish and all. 😂 He loves feet. He rubs down your shin and flips over at your feet, just grabbing and nuzzling. It hurts and tickles, but he's so happy. He's a mess.

His top fangs definitely need to come out. Due to his age and other health conditions it's a little risky to put him under, but his doctor is going to consult with the internal medicine vet and get her opinion before surgery. We went ahead and scheduled him for June 14th.

At this point I feel like I have to be ok with the fact that he might not make it through anesthesia. We won't allow him to suffer with painful teeth, so they have to come out or we have to make THE hard decision. And since he's had pain meds he's been acting brand new, so I feel like that says a lot about the quality of life he'd have without those teeth. Plus, he's not acting like he's done with life at all, and we try to follow their lead.

He's going back on Tuesday for more pain meds. We'll also be taking Harley to be seen, as well. Last night me and Shaun and Kira were up talking and Harley came meowing through the living room, then stopped and peed on the couch right in front of all of us. That can't be a good sign.

It's always something. I'm just grateful we're in a position to care for these old kittens as they age. If I hadn't gone back to school there is no way I could provide them with the quality of life that I want them to have.

I was looking back at my album today and our youngest cats are 8 years old (excluding my Gramson, Leon, because that's Kira's son). The youngest creature here is Bear. We only have Bear because Oreo didn't make it, which left me and Cub with a dog-shaped hole to fill.

For the last few years our family has grown smaller rather than larger. Sadly, I see that trend continuing because that is just how life goes. But I'm so grateful for every one of these kids. They enrich my life every day and I can only hope they know how much I love and appreciate them. ❤️

Cone and sling free!

Cone and sling free, and finally able to fit back into one of his favorite hangout spots - under the kitchen table!

His appointment went well and they said he looks great. He still needs to be sedated to keep him from playing too hard over the next 6 weeks. The plan is for him to go on walks - gradually increasing the time he walks - in order to train his muscles to keep the knee joints stabilized and where we put them. So that's the plan!

Unexpected blooms...

Unexpected blooms today from my Pink Ice Plant.

I'm officially off work...

I'm officially off work until Tuesday and this is how chill I aspire to be. 😂😂😂

It's been a rough day.

It's been a rough day.

I woke up to Balthazar bleeding out of his mouth. He came up on the bed purring, ready to cuddle, looking like a vampire. I called the vet and they let me drop him off so they could see him between surgeries.

He has an infected tooth root. He got an antibiotic injection and a topical pain med. He'll be seen again on Thursday to reassess. For anyone who doesn't remember, he's our current eldest cat. We thought he had IBD, but the vet said she thought it was a cancer. He's been on steroids and doing well for a while, but we and the vet both have concerns about putting him under at his age to remove his tooth, which could get infected again. So I've been having feelings about that. It's never fun to make these quality of life decisions.

On the bright side, he did eat a bunch of wet food and seemed to be in good spirits, but I know that animals hide their pain.

Anyway. I didn't make it to the post office. I'll try again tomorrow.

So bored.

So bored. Grumbling and a little drunk from meds. Damn cone. Can't even have a shoe. AND YOU STEAL THE BOOGERS!? 😂😂😂

Bonus eye and ear of Toebean. 😂

I repotted some plants today.

I repotted some plants today. I just needed to. I had a bunch of Baby Rita pads taking up my little pots and I wanted to see if they had rooted. They have! I also checked my Jade babies and they have roots, as well. If anyone wants some of my babies (for free!), please let me know. I have about 6 of each and I don't need to keep them. I plan to mail some things out on Monday or Tuesday, so I can get them out then if you let me know.

In other news:  I don't usually care for the warty plants, but I love this Mauna Loa. The colors, the leaf shape, the texture. Perfection.

Also, my cactus was showing off both of her blooms today. Look at her go! ❤️

Giving him a break from his cone.

Giving him a break from his cone.

I don't care if he's not conventionally attractive; this dog is beautiful to me. ❤️

Our in-ground prickly pear.

Our in-ground prickly pear.

When all of those yellow buds blooms that's going to be gorgeous.

And I just love the colors of the smaller cacti. The pinks, purples, and greens. It's also budding, as well.

I love it here. I love that pokey plants grow here so well.   They are my favorite. ❤️

More blooms!

More blooms!

I love that my plants are so happy. ❤️❤️❤️

This sweet boy is doing pretty well.

This sweet boy is doing pretty well. We called his vet and got a sedative for him. It's better. He's easier to manage and he's resting more, which is great because it was taking me and Shaun both the first few days. Now Shaun can manage him while I work.

I don't know if y'all can tell how beat-up that cone is, but he rams it into EVERYTHING when he's up. I am probably as ready to take it off of him as he is. He knocks things over, scrapes our legs, flaps the cats, bounces off of everything... It's a bit tiring trying to work around it. 😂

His 2-week follow up appointment is on the 23rd. I think he'll be able to get his stitches out and be done with the cone that day, as well as the sling. Then it'll just be about 8 weeks of no rough play, which should be do-able with a sedative. One more week and hopefully things will be much easier.

We've been leash-walking the dogs...

We've been leash-walking the dogs to do their potty business and Cub is NOT a fan. Shaun asked Cub if he would be good if he took him out without a leash. He went to the bushes to potty, and, well... 😂😂😂

At least he got some exercise in. 🤷🏻

It rained...

It rained from around 7 this morning until about noon. I watered my plants on Sunday and the soil was already dry, so that's probably okay. I went out and blew the standing water off the leaves so no one got burned when the sun came out.

I think most of them are really happy. They look super fat and open today. They feel nice and firm. Maybe I should soak them for longer when I water from now on. I usually just make sure their soil is saturated and call it good, but it drains fast so maybe it's not actually enough.

Pretty sure this is the coolest thing I'll see all week.

Pretty sure this is the coolest thing I'll see all week.

Shaun just floppy-skipped into the living room...

Shaun just floppy-skipped into the living room talking about "There's a crane!" It was so adorable. I love it when he's excited. 😂😂😂

Looks like they are setting our pool today. There is still electric and plumbing to run, plus a lot of other stuff, but I'm really excited that this is progressing so well. Maybe the yard won't be a disaster for super long.

I am so excited!

I am so excited! This one is going to bloom, too! ❤️

Look at these cuties.

Look at these cuties.

❤️❤️❤️

Our outdoor plants are doing well.

Our outdoor plants are doing well. That's exciting.

The rest of the yard... Blegh. Change is hard. And the construction noise is giving me sensory overload like whoa. But hopefully the worst part is over with.

Oh, he's ASLEEP asleep. 😂

Oh, he's ASLEEP asleep. 😂

We were going to take him out while the construction crew was on lunch, but... I guess we'll wait until he wakes up.

Look at those adorable, big feet. I just want to eat him up! ❤️

The pool installers...

So Bear is 100% fine...

So Bear is 100% fine and doesn't feel pain and is grumbling about being kept still when all he wants to do is run around causing havoc. He doesn't even need those bonus legs, anyway, so it's super dumb he has to be careful and get helped by us. 🙄

This child is trying to be WIDE OPEN only 6 days after surgery.

He finished one pain medication already. Gets his last dose of another tonight. Then he's down to only Gabapentin. I am bummed, but I am starting to think that crating him might be the only way to safely get him through the next week.

Boog made a run for it and Shaun caught him.

Boog made a run for it and Shaun caught him. He was making a cute face, so I said to let me take a picture.

This is not what I was going for, but these 2 crack me up:

This is the unapologetic face of the pup...

This is the unapologetic face of the pup who got up and took off, got his waist strap and leash put on, then walked Shaun in about 9 consecutive circles in the kitchen. 😂😂😂

We're trying to bribe him to lay down with a chew, but it's not going well. He had a good, long nap earlier and he's ready to GO now.

Wish us luck these next few weeks. We're going to need it.

Bear has been more himself today, for better or worse.

Bear has been more himself today, for better or worse.

He's gotten up and run on us a couple of times. 😬 His butt is so round and his front half is so strong that we would think he's just adjusting his position to sit up, but then he'd be up and on the move. I'm glad he's feeling better, but he's not supposed to be walking without the support strap in case he falls - which thankfully hasn't happened.

When he got up to go out this morning he was messing with the leashes hanging on the shoe rack he likes to pull over. 😂 When he went out this afternoon, he found a tree root he really wanted, but couldn't get it because it was long and he is wearing his cone. Shaun broke a piece off for him to carry around. He also made it known a couple of times that he definitely wanted to sunbathe, so we did that, too.

I'm glad he's feeling better, but my gosh, he's only a few days out of surgery and he's trying to live his best life. I'm grateful that he's gonna have a sedative for the next few weeks to help keep him chill because unless he is sleeping, chill is not something he has. 😂

Photo of him refusing to walk on the grass area that's left and instead trekking through the mess that is currently our yard. He's gotta do his patrols and get the new lay of the land.

Little plant photo dump.

Little plant photo dump. I'm pretty happy with how everyone is doing.

I love the color of these blooms...

And the shape of these.

I really love the colors on this one.

My ice plant is thirsty. I'll water tomorrow. But look at how tight the new growth at the top is!

The tight, dark new growth on this one pleases me, as well.

Blooms in a sea of petals

The TEXTURE. 😍

My Aloe is blushing and putting off pups.

This agave is making babies, too.