After a couple weeks of feeling overwhelmed by normal and abnormal (i.e. a sick cat) life stresses, I felt a glimmer of joy return this weekend. It’s the little things, right? Here are a few things making me happy right now:
Oh yes, seasonal creamer!!! This definitely puts me in a holiday frame of mind, because I only get the seasonal flavors. I think I may have mentioned (ha ha, once or twice) my love for Earl Grey tea- but once a week, on Saturday mornings, I drink plain black tea and add this creamer. I would get sick of it every day, so I keep it to a once a week treat.
Windows open! Okay- it’s not actually cool enough to open windows yet. But we’ve been opening the bedroom window for a little each day so Muffin has something fun to do while she convalesces. Eventually the warm, muggy air is too much and we close it- but it’s reminding me that REAL windows open season is coming!
Yum! I had a beer for the first time since May. Not gonna lie- it was about 100% better than that non-alcoholic crap. I drank this while watching football on Saturday night, and enjoyed every single sip.
Muffin’s new food! Ahem. The best theory we’ve been able to come up with about what happened to her is that she had some sort of infection that affected her throat. She definitely wants to eat now, but can only tolerate creamy foods, so she gets Churu treats and chicken baby food.
The reason we think her throat was sore/irritated is that she has lost her voice! She looks at me and tries to meow but nothing comes out (it’s actually very cute). We’re not too worried anymore- in every other way she seems normal. She’s hungry, affectionate, and luckily she IS able to hiss at Foxy- I mean, lucky for her, not him. We assume she’ll eventually make a full vocal recovery. We’re certainly not taking her back to the vet, since they charged us $500 and failed to pick up on the fact that anything was wrong with her. Sheesh.
A good book! After I finished and loved Death of the Author, I read two mysteries that were kind of meh. I started to think “maybe I just don’t like mysteries anymore!” and that would be a sad state of affairs. Luckily I’m really enjoying this one (more coming up tomorrow). Life is just so much better with a good book, right?
What little things are making you happy right now?
33 Responses
Little things for the win! I love that seasonal creamer ritual – keeping it to once a week makes it feel even more special.
So glad Muffin is on the mend (ugh, that $500 vet bill for nothing still stings though!).
We’re up in North Germany at the moment, visiting Kai’s mum together with my parents. Three over-85s in one place! But they’re all still so fit and mobile. That really makes me happy.
You’ve got some good genetics in both families! Seeing people in their 80s fit and mobile always makes me happy.
yay to small wins and Muffin seems getting back to normal (hissing included).
I got to come home early yesterday, unusual for Monday, but allowed me a non stressful evening and good night of sleep.
humidity is slowly coming back in Brasilia, double digits over 50 after weeks of 20-30s even single digit one day.
An unexpected early day is always nice! And… i guess you’re finishing your “winter” months in Brazil now? I forgot your seasons are reversed from ours.
Baby food for the win! It’s probably cheaper than tuna, so go Muffin! And the cats will have to begin negotiations again- hopefully they’ll move to peaceful coexistence soon.
Yes, at least it’s cheaper than tuna. I’m still hoping to transition her to regular cat food again soon- it’s way easier when they can all eat the same thing.
My takeaway is that I need to get myself down to the store ASAP to see if they have any Fancy Papers. I’m very into hazy IPA’s, and that’s the same brewery that did Florida Man, so I know they make good beer.
Doggo picked up a tummy bug this weekend so we just went through a round of a pet not eating and an expensive vet visit – well technically Hubs went through it since I was still on my trip. However the vet gave her anti nausea meds and IV fluids, so at least we had a happier dog by the end of the vet visit. Now it’s just a matter of waiting for the antibiotics to kick in and a bland diet and life will get back to normal.
I got back home last night, so my little things are the joy of being back home with Hubs and Doggo, a solid night of sleep in my own bed, and getting back into the home routine. Then there will be sorting through approximately one million pictures and getting the bloggy blog caught up on my adventures.
Oh, it sounds like Doggo had something similar to Muffin- I wish our vet had given Muffin anti-nausea meds! I hope Doggo feels better soon.
Yes- I can’t wait to hear your version of the NS trip!!! I read about it on Elisabeth’s blog of course.
So many happy things!
I have never had non-alcoholic beer but recently I had a non-alcoholic wine and it was terrible. Ugh!
Happy things for me – getting ready for my big trip this week! My older son had an interview for an internship yesterday, which I hope he gets. My younger son is working the harvest and loves it. Things are good around the Boyhouse.
Ooh- a big trip, I’m excited for you! Sounds like both kids are doing well- and when our kids are happy, we’re happy, right?
Awww, Muffin! So glad she is eating something, and I hope she recovers quickly and fully. It’s so hard when your pet is sick/hurting, because they can’t tell you what’s wrong!
Hooray for little joys! I’m so glad you’re at a good place with your digestion so you can enjoy seasonal creamer and beers.
I’m not really a big beer drinker. I mean, I like beer, but I’m boring: I prefer super light pilsners and lagers, like Michelob Ultra. But my husband is more adventurous and loves seasonal beer, so I am having fun picking out a beer or three when I go to the grocery store.
I’m not sure my stomach liked the beer so much- but I did enjoy it while I was drinking it. I really like IPAs- I’m not into these seasonal pumpkin ales so much. I always think I want to try them, and then I regret it.
I’m so glad Muffin is on her healing journey (no thanks to the vet). Poor Muffin and poor you! And while it’s too bad there is hissing involved, it’s a bit like when you’re a bit relieved your kids are back to fighting after an illness because you know they’re officially on the mend when they’re ready to expend energy to show their distain for their sibling 😉
In happier news, I AM HERE FOR ALL THE FALL THINGS. I am also trying to lean in and just this morning put up a few little decor items I picked up at the Dollarstore. They’s simple, but festive. AND I found a Silk Pumpkin Spice creamer, so guess what I put in my coffee this morning. Yummy. I love fall spices and fall colours and fall weather.
I hate beer (and wine) regardless of the alcohol content. Blergh. But I’m so glad you found something that hit the spot. To each their own!
Well, there are no health benefits to beer, so it’s probably a good thing you don’t like it! Pumpkin spice creamer on the other hand… we can all enjoy that. Glad you’re leaning into the fall vibes!!!
I love this time of year because of the seasonal treats! I’m not sure if I’ve tried that creamer flavor before but I know I’ve had that brand. I went to Trader Joe’s a couple weekends ago when they first released their fall stuff, and hopefully I can go to Sprouts soon for their seasonal selection. I get way too excited about fall and Christmas foods haha!
I’m glad Muffin is improving and back to eating again!
There’s no such thing as getting “too excited,” in my opinion! TJs and Sprouts are both great places to do fall shopping- they really do it up right.
yes a good book is great.
just finished Atmosphere about women astronauts.
our weather is making me happy – cool in the am and then warm and sunny after.
Did you like Atmosphere? Everyone seems to like that one, but for some reason I don’t want to read it. I could change my mind though!
It does sound like you’re having perfect weather- as it should be in late September.
It’s great to hear that Muffin is feeling better, but ugh on that vet bill for a visit that told you nothing. I bet Muffin is loving the chicken flavored baby food and it’s great that you found something that she could/would eat.
Yes, it’s a huge relief! Now we’re spoiling her more than ever though. We’ll have to wean her off this baby food eventually so she can be a normal cat again.
I’m glad Muffin is feeling better and eating more. What a relief. My good things are that both boys are reading chapter books with me! I’m reading a national parks scavenger hunt/mystery with Paul that is set in the Great Sand Dunes NP in NZ. With Will, I’m reading the first Dragon Masters book. It’s heavily illustrated so holds his attention. Paul hasn’t wanted to read with me lately so I am glad we are reading something he’s enjoying.
I’ve heard of that National Parks mystery- can’t remember if it was from you. It sounds so good! I wnt to read it- I need a little kid to read with : )
Phew – glad that Muffin seems to be on the mend. Life is better with a good book, but I don’t have time to lay by the pool and read now that I’m back to work. One of my fav new things (new to me, because I’m always the last to know) is the Speechify app. I can take photos of a book that isn’t available on audio and listen to it be read to me. I’m the world’s slowest reader and it allows me to listen to blogs and books or articles, etc. while I’m busy. I’m also loving Amy Poehler’s podcast Good Hang.
You weren’t the last to know- because I’ve never heard of that app! That’s really interesting. I do love podcasts and I’ve never listened to Amy Poeler’s- I’ll check it out.
I’ve tried non-alcoholic wine a few times, I would rather have water or Coke Zero. Blah. I’m glad you enjoyed your real beer!
Glad that Muffin is on the mend, that’s a relief. She’s sure beautiful.
Today is going to be hot, 96. But at least it’s not humid, and tomorrow will be almost 20 degrees lower.
I kind of liked the n/a beer while I was drinking it, as in it was better than nothing- but you’re right, I would probably enjoy a Coke Zero more.
I’ll tell Muffin she got a compliment!
MUFFIN! Poor baby can’t meow. I just want to pick her up and snuggle her and make her better.
I am moving offices! One of the ladies I work with retired and her office opened up and IT HAS WINDOWS. So I snagged it and I’m moving offices! It’s sort of a pain to do the actual moving, but it’s going to be glorious when I’m done!
Ooh! That will be nice! Hopefully the moving part won’t be too stressful.
I’m so glad Muffin is on the mend and getting better. That is an interesting situation for her! Neither of our cats meow, even when accidentally trapped in the closet, so we wouldn’t know if they lost their voices!
Really? That’s funny they don’t meow! Muffin usually has a very loud meow, and we used to complain that she would meow and wake us up in the middle of the night. Well… problem solved, I guess…
I was really worried to find out what you’re using that baby food for! HAHA. I’m glad Muffin is starting to feel better but not being able to meow is heartbreaking!
And yes to all things fall, even when it’s miserable outside! Although last weekend, I walked outside and felt a slight breeze and was like, “FALL? IS THAT YOU?” but it turns out, I was just in a shady area because once I got into the sun, it was heat and humidity and awfulness. But a little bit of fall here and there has been nice. And next week, the highs in London are in the mid-60s and I CANNOT WAAAIT.
Yeah, people were probably wondering what in the world I was doing with chicken baby food.
I CANNOT WAIT to hear all about your trip! I”ll just be here sweltering, so I’m going to live vicariously.
Glad Muffin is doing better – the throat infection thing does sound plausible. Oh, the worry they put us through! Cheering things for me at the moment are good books (The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai and Denim and Leather by Michael Hann (a history of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal)), a really kind woman doing a sports bra fitting for me and getting to do a big parkrun milestone this coming Saturday: 50 runs and 350 volunteer days!