Welcome Tang, New Beginnings Options

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, sunny Monday afternoon greetings to you and your precious Theresa and little Tang from my precious Noah and me. I hope this finds each of you doing well and in good spirits - - as well as can be expected while enduring the effects of a miserable cold. Until the harsh symptoms ease it can feel like everything we do takes extra effort and there is little enthusiasm for much of anything.

Your precious little Tang is so fortunate to have you for his diligent Forever Dad. Like us humans anything can upset the GI tract - - such as stress in going to the doctor -- and this can manifest itself in various different symptoms. I know you will keep a loving vigil on him and will at least be in contact with his doctor should his symptoms persist. I hope his little emissions system is back to normal today.

Have been working on paying a couple of bills today. When I looked at my auto premium online the balance due was more than what it should have been, so I have e-mailed the insurance rep to check into it before I pay it. I am not an accountant, but when I make payments for specific bills - - such as my auto and homeowner premiums - - I expect those payments to be posted accordingly and not "juggled" by someone in the billing department. So I'm waiting to hear back from my agent as to what the "deal" is with my premium payments this month.

Noah is doing well, and is taking his afternoon post-lunch nap on his lamb's wool cushion now. A few moments ago he was giving himself a polish before settling down. He is so fascinating to watch. When he cleans his feet he really cleans his feet - - in between each toe and pad and underneath each nail.

Still have the lunch dishes to do so will get this posted to you. I hope today is treating you kindly at work, my friend, and that your travels home will be safe and expedient so that you and your precious Theresa and little Tang can have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, Tracy, and of your precious Theresa and little Tang. Please know you and your precious companions are in my thoughts and prayers, that I always look forward to knowing how you and your precious fur tribe are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

I don't blame you for not paying what they say without verification. Insurance is such a scam anymore. Thanks for the encouragement on Tang. After dealing with the heartbreaking deterioration of Tom, I get paranoid. I have not cleaned any runnies since yesterday, and hope it isolated; stress like you said. I'm feeling a little better today, but still a bit cruddy. I had a deep sleep last night. Well, for the first 3 hours or so. I woke up hearing "noises" coming from my neighbors bedroom. I'm not sure if I dreamed it or what. But when I left this morning, a package that had been at her door for days was gone.

Chuckling at Noah's "mani/pedi" Tang does that as did Tom. Maybe it's a boy cat thing. I still think that's why Tang scrapes the wall after he's done in the litter box, a cleaning thing. Good thing it's just litter on his paws. Getting ready to head home to him and Theresa. I hope you and Noah had a great day and a most pleasant evening. TTFN

TTT

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, sunny Tuesday afternoon greetings to you and your precious Theresa and little Tang from my precious Noah and me. I hope this finds each of you doing well and in good spirits - - and hope you are feeling just a tad bit better today than yesterday - - any kind of feeling better from a cold / flu is improvement.

I smile with sharing your precious Theresa's and little Tang's habits and reactions to things and their sweet precious individual personalities. Kitties really don't like being messy - - I can just hear your precious Tang, "yuk - - gotta clean these feet off."

Got home a little while ago from errands - - needed to get Noah another bag of dry food from the vet's office, and took Oslo's donations with me as well. So, that's done. Haven't received a response back from my insurance agent yet about my auto premium, but I know I will. If I don't hear from her by tomorrow, I will shoot her another "gentle query" Thursday. Noah was downstairs when I got back home and was at the bottom of the basement steps eagerly greeting me. It is always a joy getting back home to my precious little boy.

Soon I will put some veggies on the stove warming for lunch. Noah has a brunch snack and is now taking a nap on his lamb's wool cushion. But I know he will not refuse another serving of his food in his bowl when my lunch is ready - - it's our way of having lunch together.

I hope today is treating you kindly at work, my friend, and that your travels home will be safe and expedient so that you and your precious Theresa and little Tang can have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, Tracy, and of your precious Theresa and little Tang. Please know you and your precious companions are in my thoughts and prayers, that I always look forward to knowing how you and your precious fur tribe are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

Normally I'd talk about the day to day stuff, but I just can't. I may have to go away for a while, I don't know. Between the loan, rent and the payment arrangement to keep my power on, I may be able to scrape together enough (and I mean literally scrape, loose change, etc) to buy a bag of dry food for the babies and a box of swabs for Tang's ear between now an the 18th. I don't know how long the human body can go without food, but I guess I'm about to find out. I'm sorry for being a downer, but if I go away for a while at least you'll know why. Peace be with you and thank you for being my friend here.

T

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, thank you for sharing with us how you and your precious Theresa and little Tang are doing. I am so sorry that you are having a hard financial struggle, my friend. Serious financial challenges can be demoralizing and depressing. Is there a food bank close to you that you could go to apply for assistance? Please know you and your precious Theresa and little Tang are in my thoughts and prayers, that I am thankful for the blessing of your friendship and of your precious companions, and that I look forward to knowing how you and your precious Theresa and little Tang are doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

Believe me, I have tried all that. Dare To Care, United Way, etc. I'm not elligible. I even sent emails to my apartment manager, and LG&E for help and they have refused to bend as well. So, at this point it's a water only diet for the forseeable future. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, but I don't think He's listening

[DannysMom]

Thank you moon_beam

Believe me, I have tried all that. Dare To Care, United Way, etc. I'm not elligible. I even sent emails to my apartment manager, and LG&E for help and they have refused to bend as well. So, at this point it's a water only diet for the forseeable future. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, but I don't think He's listening

Tom's Dad, have you tried a church? Here in my area quite a few churches do have food pantries. Some friends of mine go to one. They're not going to ask for your eligibility. It's strange though that these other places say you're not eligible, because you should be.

[DannysMom]

Louisville food pantries.

If you need food in an emergency, learn how a church, pantry, or food bank in Jefferson County Kentucky can provide assistance. Individuals and families across Louisville and the County who are in need of groceries, meals, or free food should not hesitate to call or stop by one of the centers referenced below.

Most of the food pantries will not turn anyone away who asks for help, regardless of their income, background, or religion. The not-for profit food pantries in Louisville are committed to offering a wide variety of aid to the elderly, unemployed, working poor, and other low income individuals. If the location can’t help you, they will usually refer you to another local charity, or help you apply for government food assistance. All of these programs and services, and many more, are all offered as part of the assistance programs offered from Louisville food pantries.

Fairdale Area Community Ministries – This is a local church/religious organization that passes out food, free meals, and groceries to those who need help in the community.
Address - 10616 W Manslick Rd
Fairdale, Kentucky 40118
(502) 367-9519

Jeffersontown Area Ministries
Location - 10617 Taylorsville Rd
Jeffersontown, KY 40299
Phone number - (502) 267-1055
Another one of the local churches that can provide support and food.

Arcadia Community Center
Address - 1423 Arcade Ave
Louisville, Kentucky 40215
Telephone number - (502) 375-1819

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, I know words seem so very empty during your desperate financial struggles. I hope the suggestions DannysMom has offered you will be of some help to you. You may also want to check out any local soup kitchens - - I don't think you would need to be in a men's shelter to have the benefit of receiving a meal. I know how you feel about "handouts" - - but right now you need to open yourself up to assistance where you can get it. I don't know if you would qualify for food stamps -- have you checked on that? I do know how it feels that the harder you try the worse things get, and eventually it can feel like you're drowning in a dark pit of futility. Please do not give up, Tracy - - hold onto hope that SOMEDAY things WILL get better for you and your precious Theresa and little Tang.

I hope today is treating you kindly at work, my friend, and that your travels home will be safe and expedient so that you and your precious Theresa and little Tang can have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, Tracy, and of your precious Theresa and little Tang. Please know you and your precious companions are in my thoughts and prayers, that I always look forward to knowing how you and your precious fur tribe are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you DannysMom. That clearly took a lot of research. None of them are by me, but It would not hurt to call. Thank you also moon_beam. At this point I don't have much pride left in terms of "hand outs"

After consideration, I have decided I'm going to wait another week to pay the rent. Yes, that's an additional 40.00 late fee, but I have bills that are on autopay, and one coming due soon that would NSF me for 36.00 if I pay this week. So, 6 of one 1/2 dozen of the other (sigh) It's this loan business that has really bogged me down. I would never have done it if not for worrying about Tang's care. But here I am again in this hole. I'm hoping 2 things happen at some point to help. Getting hired full time and a half way decent tax refund. I need to make sure my ancient student loan is not in default for the latter.

Between all this drama and being sick, I have totally been in a fog. Thank you both for your encouragement, support, and suggestions. It's appreciated. I'm getting ready to head home to Theresa and Tang now. I hope you both and Noah, Mindy, and Shelley have a very good eveing. TTFN

TTT

[DannysMom]

Tom's Dad, I hope things will get better for you soon. I just sent you some money to help out via paypal. I think moon_beam had a good idea in checking on if you qualify for food stamps. Every bit helps. That's why these programs exist, to help people in need. It's got to be hard on you paying those late fees as that takes away from your available disposable income. Hopefully you'll get a decent tax refund. All the best to you, Tang, and Teresa from me and the "girls".

[Tom's Dad]

DannysMom

Thank you. I'm speachless. I was not trying to elicit donations, but by the same token pride is a luxury I (and by extension, Theresa and Tang) can not afford these days. Your generousity is appreciated and most uncommon these days. Food stamps I know for a fact I am not eilligible for. I tried once years ago when I was only working PT about 20 hours a week barely above minimim wage. I was rudely informed I made too much. Pretty sure that's still true. Unfortunately, I do not fit any of the demographics required for government assistance. Which is frustrating considering how many of my neighbors seem to be getting their rent, etc paid that way. No wonder the manager defends them so. Guarunteed on-time income. So, I go on robbing Peter to pay Paul each week. Hard to believe that a little over 2 1/2 years ago, this would never have been on my radar of problems in the slightest. I truly thought those days of struggle and strife over; that I'd finally paid my dues. It's true we sometimes fail to appreciate what we have until it's gone. Ultimately, poor Tom paid the price for that lapse in judgement

I too hope a timely tax refund and hopefully getting "hired" can get me out of this seemingly ongoing chasm. Thank you again and my best to you and the girls. God Bless.

T

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, sending warmest greetings on this cloudy gloomy dampish Friday afternoon to you and your precious Theresa and little Tang from my precious Noah and me. I hope this finds you and your precious companions doing well and in good spirits - - hopefully beginning to feel better from your cold does help to improve the spirits.

I am keeping you close in my thoughts and prayers that God will inspire the management and HR department to offer you a permanent position - - and that this happens very soon. I read an article on the internet this week that because of the idiocy of our elected officials the IRS is not accepting tax filings until the very end of January at the earliest. So I hope you are able to get your taxes filed at the very earliest possible date so that you can get your tax refund quickly.

I know what it's like to be the one that doesn't "qualify" for assistance for various bureaucratic reasons, and have to trudge on doing the very best possible with the little I had at the time. I know what it is like to seriously face the looming possibility of becoming a homeless statistic and worrying about what would happen with my precious companions. It is not a fun experience by any stretch of the imagination. Just do the best you can, Tracy, with the resources you have available - - and I hope and pray with all my heart that God will continue to provide for you and your precious Theresa and little Tang.

Just today to get through and then you will be home with your precious Theresa and little Tang for an entire weekend. This, in itself, is an improvement over your previous schedule. I hope today is treating you kindly at work, my friend, and that your travels home will be safe and expedient so that you and your precious Theresa and little Tang can have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, Tracy, and of your precious Theresa and little Tang. Please know you and your precious companions are in my thoughts and prayers, that I always look forward to knowing how you and your precious fur tribe are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

For your kind and compassionate words, they are appreciated. I'd had it truly rough from about 1991-1998. My parents had tricked me into moving here under the guise of a "free" education, and pulled the rug out after barely a year. I had to give up my car, scramble for a place to live. A man I went to school with managed to get me into the "extra" room of his dingey attic apartment in Indiana. I struggled there for the next 4 years, walking many a night home across that interstate bridge over the river. I didn't find a "real" job until 1998. For the next 10 years it was a struggle but an upward sloping one in terms of each job paying better than the last. Then in 2010 it all fell apart, as you know. I worry about what will happen to my babies if I lose my home, the whole nine yards. The only place it seems like anybody cares, is on here.

So, I keep plugging away, trying not to let things get me down. From job/financial stability worries, to watching many of my neighbors not work and yet live far better than me. But then I stop to think about people who have it worse. Passing through downtown in my daily travels, I see all too many of those poor souls. It's nice to know there is a place here to come to where people understand and care.

That all being said. The week is over, I have no place special I have to be tomorrow and it's me the kitties, and TGIF. I thought I'd close with a bit of light fare. On our company web site news, I came across a story about a new WWII museum. One of the exhibits will feature a tribute to a submarine that sunk over 30 enemy ships before succumbing to a hit from one of it's own torpedos. The name of that vesel? The USS Tang! No joke. Google it if you don't believe me. It made me I hope you and Noah had a great day together and a peaceful joyous evening. TTFN

TTT

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, sunny, very pleasant Caturday afternoon greetings to you and your precious Theresa and little Tang from my precious Noah and me. I hope this finds you and your precious companions doing well and in good spirits.

Thank you for sharing the amazing story of the USS Tang. I will look that up on the internet just to share the historical account with you. I'm glad you do not have anything pressing on the agenda today so that hopefully you and your precious companions can enjoy a truly pleasant lazy Saturday together.

Because the sun was shining so bright and inviting and the temps are warm today I got dressed into my yard work clothes and worked on the upstairs deck. Bagged three bags of leaves - - bringing the total to 40 now. Also dismantled a porch swing I had put together several years ago when I had a closed in back porch. The boards are falling apart so it is no longer safe to sit in - - I can now take it to the special trash bins when I make that trip. I also relocated the settee and lounge that my mom and I bought many, many years ago when we lived in apartments and had a nice balcony to enjoy. They are now in the upper end of the back yard inside the fence. They are severely rusted from age and exposure to the weather, but otherwise are still in very good shape. I hope I can donate them to Goodwill - - once the rust is removed and are repainted they should sell quickly, and Goodwill should benefit from the sale. By the time I got done with that project my right leg and ankle and back were very uncomfortable, but a nice warm shower helped immensely. The rest of the day is going to be very low key indeed.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Theresa and little Tang kindly, my friend, and that you and your precious companions will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, Tracy, and of your precious Theresa and little Tang. Please know you and your precious companions are in my thoughts and prayers, that I always look forward to knowing how you and your precious fur tribe are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

Sounds like you had a busy day. The temps were in the upper 60s here, but it's been gray and overcast the whole day. I did allow Theresa and Tang some balcony time which they seemed to enjoy; not often they can do that this time of year. It was a relaxing day over all for me and them. It's so nice to be able to go to bed at a reasonable hour on Saturday night so as not to feel like a zombie when doing my laundry on Sunday morning. Plus 2 days off in a row again. I'll need that for the next 2 weeks. This coming Tuesday phone system training until 8, and after hours meeting the following Tuesday until 9:30. That one may run long too because the whole dept must be present (sigh) Between that and the phone testing, at least I can pick up some OT which will help. Getting ready to take care of the babies and settle in. Hope you and Noah have a great evening. TTFN

TTT

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, warm Sunday afternoon greetings to you and your precious Theresa and little Tang from my precious Noah and me. I hope this finds you and your precious companions doing well and in good spirits. By now you have your laundry done, and hope you and your precious fur tribe are enjoying a lazy, peaceful day together.

I'm so glad your precious furkids had a chance to enjoy some balcony time yesterday to get some fresh air in their lungs. I presume the "Amazing Tang" behaved himself with no ideas of performing gravity defying aerial feats. Hopefully he is becoming wiser in his maturing years.

Sounds like you have quite a schedule at work for the next couple of weeks with your Tuesdays being very, very long. I hope you will have rides home those nights. I hope all goes well with the telephone training / testing, and that you will indeed receive OT pay. I know this will help. And I hope very soon you will receive word that you will be engaged as a permanent employee.

Not much going on here today as Sundays are always low key. Noah is on his bathroom window perch enjoying the sunbeams until lunch. I am so glad for the warmer temps but they will be short lived as tomorrow begin the downward trend for temps for awhile - - it is still January after all.

I hope today is treating you and your precious Theresa and little Tang kindly, my friend, and that you and your precious companions will have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, Tracy, and of your precious Theresa and little Tang. Please know you and your precious companions are in my thoughts and prayers, that I always look forward to knowing how you and your precious fur tribe are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

Not so sunny here today. In fact it has been raining steadily all day. It was pouring when I went to change my clothes over in the laundry room; not pleasant. Plus I was forced to use the front loader I hate because it and only one top loader would take any money. I suspect they were "full" and in need of emptying the coin boxes. Then some clown parked his bike right where we hang up our clothes and I had to move it out of my way. Some people. Government assistance cheats and college students whose parents pay for everything. Hard to see when I work my rear off just trying to scrape by. But at least I got it done. Early, in fact, since I woke up on my own 30 minutes ahead of my alarm.

Been a lazy day here, for which the rain was actually a help. No, Tang did not try any of his ariel act yesterday. If fact, everytime he looked up and saw me he ran inside to nuzzle me. It seems like every day they both find thier own way of saying "Thank you for rescuing us" Even Theresa afer all this time. Can it really be 6 years come March? That's 6 months longer than I had with Tom Well, not much else going on here. Getting ready to clean Tangs ear, etc and settle in for the evening. Thank you for your support and friendship, and I hope you and Noah have a wonderful evening. TTFN

TTT

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, rainy, dreary Monday afternoon greetings to you and your precious Theresa and little Tang from my precious Noah and me. I hope this finds you and your precious companions doing well and in reasonably good spirits.

Glad to know you and your precious fur tribe had a lazy cozy day yesterday after you got your laundry done. I'm smiling that your precious Tang behaved himself during balcony time Saturday. I know how much your precious Theresa and little Tang are blessings to you - - they are the light of your life.

The DISH service rep was here today to officially disconnect me from satellite service. I had been expecting a telephone call but none came -- to the number on my account. It was a good thing I checked my account online as the idiots were using the telephone number I had 2 years ago with the phone company - - instead of my phone number now which has been on my account for the last 1.5 years now - - and which I confirmed when I spoke with the DISH CSR last Thursday when I arranged the appointment for today. Oh well - - when I saw what was happening I called the contact number and confirmed that a rep would be here. He arrived around 12:30 this afternoon and it only took him about 15 minutes to dismantle the satellite dish. The account will close effective 1/26 when the 2-year contract expires, and - - I will not have to pay for the service call today because I included the cost of service calls on my contract every month. This is good news as I will not have to pay $95 for the disconnect today. DISH is sending me a box to pack the equipment in and as soon as they receive it in the warehouse the service will be permanently discontinued. The dollars "saved" from not paying for satellite service every month will now be re-routed to covering the increases in my health insurance premium.

Noah was curious about the change in routine but was a very good boy in staying in the basement living quarters so that I didn't have to be concerned about him sneaking outside when a door was opened. We have had our lunch, and he is now a happy camper taking his afternoon nap on his lamb's wool cushion. I still have the lunch dishes to do, and will get to that chore in awhile. I have been working on compiling a grocery list to make that errand run this week. If the weather report is accurate we may have some freezing rain in the morning hours tomorrow and Wednesday, so I will be waiting for better weather to do errands.

Guess this is all the news for today, so will get this posted to you. I hope today is treating you kindly at work, my friend, and that your travels home will be safe and expedient so that you and your precious Theresa and little Tang can have a very peaceful, blissful, and cozy evening. I thank you for the blessing of your friendship, Tracy, and of your precious Theresa and little Tang. Please know you and your precious companions are in my thoughts and prayers, that I always look forward to knowing how you and your precious fur tribe are doing, and to sharing your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

And cold gray Monday greetings to you and Noah as well. I'm sure are glad that you don't have what you have described as a not so needed expense and that Noah stayed safe and sound during it all. I'm sorry to hear your health insurance is going up. I hope getting rid of the Dish was not because of that. I know too well about having to sacrafice one thing for another. I'm glad you got the communication mix up squared away too.

Yes, Theresa and Tang are my whole world and the light of my life, as is Tom's living spirit. I've just been going over this thread and can't believe how much has occured in our lives in the past couple of years. 6 years for Theresa in March, and 2 for Tang in May. My how time flies! They are my best friends and my family as I'm sure Noah is yours. I hope we have them for many years to come. Not much going on here than the usual busy Monday work day. Getting ready to head home to my precious fur tribe. I hope that you and Noah have a most peaceful and blessed evening. TTFN

TTT