Running Report

My mileage and intensity have really fallen off the last few months due to weather, work and other factors.  So things are going all right but I think the 5 and 10K times I'm hoping for may have to happen next year, if they are going to happy...not getting any younger I guess!

In August I ran a pretty decent time at the Hot N Hilly race, and won my age group.  Saturday was super cold here in the morning (44 degrees).  I am not a fan of cold weather running, and I overslept.  So I was still running from the car to the starting line as the race began.  One of my friends was kindly waiting at the start with my number so I could still run legally.  Fortunately it was chip timed so I got an accurate time and place, but not one I was happy with-the whole scenario was less than ideal though!  But afterwards we all went out for celebratory birthday lunch (Linda and I share a birthday, which was yesterday).

Yesterday, Cheri, Grace, and I had a lovely morning trail run to get ready for the Dogwood Canyon 15K in 2 weeks.  I had hoped to do better this year than last year, but i don't think that will be the case.  Hopefully we will at least have fun and good weather.

Parenting

I posted this on Facebook to compete with the overabundance of people obsessed with their children. It has attracted more attention than almost anything else I've posted so apparently everyone finds it amusing and/or feels the same way about people who nonstop post kid photos and literally nothing else. 

Our baby

Our little Twix is all of 3.5 lbs now, able to jump on countertops and tables and already addicted to greenies. She's sweet and social, but not overly cuddly. But what she lacks in cuddles, she makes up for in cuteness. Clearly. 

Reunions round 3

This time we headed to KC for Jerry's 20 year high school reunion (I know, so old right?). Anyway, this included about 3 days of "where do you live, what do you do, do you have any kids" conversations. And specifically directed at me "did you also go to Center?" But all in all it seemed like everyone had a good time and we even got to visit with friends that came in all the way from Australia as well as many others that Jerry was friends with back in the day. And it seems like everyone else had enough kids to make up for us not having any. 

One of the activities was a tour of the high school, the highlight being the "museum" room where I found this gem. 

How cute is he? 😊

Like new

My truck is nine years old and has 220,000 miles on it. But it runs great and I love it. So rather than consider getting something new we has it repainted. Now it's shiny and pretty again! 

Storm damage

Poor old tunnel. It had a good run. I'm thinking I may be able to make two mini tunnels out of it. 

Meanwhile, in the house we made the mistake of leaving Zodiac loose and unattended. We have been crating him during storms and fireworks since he recently started eating things. Well, Twist is in the big crate in the barn so...

Oops. 

Reunions round 2 and settling in

This weekend we went to a family reunion for my mom's side of the family and also took my dad out for his 60th birthday.  We had nice weather and everyone seemed to have a good time.

Back at home Twist is doing well as a barn cat but I think she probably misses being inside-she's a very cuddly girl.  She is getting at least a few hours a day out of the crate and has been playing in the yard and climbing trees.  She will probably graduate to full days out of the crate soon.

Twix is doing well as an only house cat.  We have been letting her stay loose at night and she typically curls up right next to us and stays all night (or until about 5:30 and then thinks it's time to play and we have to return her to her room).  There isn't much cuter than waking up to find a tiny kitten sleeping by you.

Summer has gone back to reliably using the litter box.  I think eliminating the kitten that pooped in her box all the time has helped.  Even though that's not when it started.  Rabbits are weird.

Both applications interested in Shea changed their mind it appears.  So I've started working with her on some basic obedience and manners.  If we are going to have her for a while she might as well be better behaved.

Still here

Shea is still available.  We have a few possible applications on her, so cross your fingers.  She needs to go somewhere with more time for her.  When she came, it seemed like great timing.  Then things went sadly south at our house and she has been a little neglected.  She's a sweet dog, and not over the top wild around the house most of the time (a little obsessed with kittens) but still fun and border collie playful.

Sweetness

The writing on the wall

Or better yet, the poop in the sink.

Sweet little Twist had to go live in the barn.  Sadly, she began showing all the hallmarks of being a chronic litter box problem cat.

First there was the diarrhea in our bed overnight.  I get it, she's young, accidents happen.  But when I got up to take her back to her room she then also peed in the bed.  Strike one and two.

Then we witnessed her peeing in the bathroom sink.  Strike three.  We proceeded to take her directly to her litter box every time we saw her in the sink. We tried to keep door closed.

A week or so later I caught her pooping in the other bathroom sink.  Strike four.  We limited all access to sinks and basically shut off as much of the house as possible and kept them confined to a bedroom most of the time.

She had a round of diarrhea last week.  Not her fault, but she pooped next to the box (and not in it) no less than four times during this episode.  Strike five.

She does not cover her urine or stool when she does use the box.  Strike six.

We have been down this road before and quite frankly we are not willing to live like that again.  It wasn't fair to the cat or to us and really ruined our relationship with her.  I know the risks of an outside cat but I'd rather have an outside cat I still like than one that's ruining our house and everyone's quality of life.

Of course we are keeping her crated most of the time at first and letting her adjust.  This afternoon she got to spend several hours out with us and seems to be happy and adjusting well.  And I must say that the 24 hours since we have put her outside have been so much less stressful.

This one shows a little sneak peek of our new deck project.

Meanwhile Twix is turning into a lovely house cat, at least so far!  They don't seem to mind being separated and are both finding ways to entertain themselves.

Barney seems to be the only one disgruntled over this, but he seems to be getting over it.