Welcome Tang, New Beginnings Options

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, cloudy continued breezy Thursday 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.

I'm wondering how your little Tang's ear is doing. How is the growth - - is it still looking okay under the circumstances?

I had thought by now the effects of Sandy would be out of here but we are still getting a good cloud cover and gusty breezes from her. I will be so glad when the wind stops blowing and the sunshine returns. I can just imagine the people whose lives that have been so intensely decimated by this storm are wishing they could wake up to find out that the effects of this storm are only a horrible nightmare instead of a horrible reality. Having lived in the Atlantic City area of NJ for 10 years I can relate to what the shore communities are going through. This is a life-changing event for them.

Nothing much going on here today. Noah is taking his after lunch nap on his lamb's wool cushion. He and I are both bored with the weather. Have the lunch dishes to do and need to make a trek to the mailbox to see what has been delivered since yesterday. Still waiting for my tax notices.

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 companions. Please know you and your precious Theresa and little Tang are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

Tang's ear looks about as good as I can expect at this point. It's a pinkish color for the most part which I think is probably a good sign. I still have enough room in there to clean and appy the drops. He endures it like a trooper; my little Sgt. Tang. He's not been scratching lately, which is also good. I'm thinking it must be feeling better over all as I doubt the spectre of the Benadryl is enough of a deterent on its own.

I too feel for the people on the east coast and their animal companions. Millions w/o power and the election less than a week away They are in my thoughts and prayers.

I'm sorry you still have not received your tax notices; I hope that is remedied soon. I hope the day is treating you and your special man Noah well and that you both have a blissful evening. TTFN

TTT

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, good afternoon Friday greetings to you and your precious Theresa and little Tang from my precious Noah and me. I hope this finds you and your companions doing well and in good spirits. It is always a blessing sharing your news. I know you are still at work as I'm writing, and hopefully this afternoon will go quickly for you.

Glad to know that your little Tang's ear is holding its own at the moment. From what you have shared with us it sounds like he is not in need of surgery at this time. If this is the case this is good news indeed.

Finally received the real estate tax notice in yesterday's mail. Much to my surprise the house was reassessed $15,500 lower than what it has been. This is a GOOD THING. However, because the county raised the tax rate, I continue to pay the same amount of tax that I have been paying while the house was assessed at a higher value at a lower tax rate. But this is okay. The tax continues to be less than $1,000 a year for the next 4 years, and I can certainly live with that. I do not have any taxes to pay on my car this year, although I still have the $25 fee next spring for a county decal for the windshield. After next year there will no longer be any windshield decals, but the county will still continue to collect the $25 fee. Just amazing.

The sun is playing hide and seek today, and the breeze has picked up a bit but is not as strong as it has been this week. Noah is on his bathroom window perch enjoying the sunbeams whenever they break through the clouds. It's nice to see the sunshine once in awhile today.

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 companions. Please know you and your precious Theresa and little Tang are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

I too am glad Tang's ear at least seems to be more or less stable as I can't afford any issues right now. They were both in rare form last night chasing each other all over the place. I gently reminded them to "play nice" to which they just cocked their heads and looked at me as if to say "But, we IS playing nice daddy" Such a blessing, both of them.

I'm glad you got your tax forms. sorry to hear you are paying the same on a lower assessment. Been sunny and mild here today. Supposed to be colder and a possibility of rain tomorrow. Hopefully not durring my epic trek to or from work. Heading home to the kittles now. I hope you and Noah have a blessed evening. TTFN

TTT

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, greetings to you and your precious Theresa and little Tang from my precious Noah and me on this sunny Caturday afternoon. This is the first day in a week that we have had an entire day of sunshine. I hope this finds you and your precious companions doing well and in good spirits.

I know you are still at work as I'm writing to you, but hope the day is going well for you. Not much is going on here today. It's nice not having an "agenda" demanding attention. I do have lunch dishes to wash and a trip to the mailbox to make - - this type of "agenda" I can handle. Noah is on his window perch in the bathroom enjoying the late afternoon sunbeams.

Once again, my friend, I hope today is treating you kindly at work, 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 companions. Please know you and your precious Theresa and little Tang are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

Just finishing work. Was pretty slow and 3 of the 5 of us were subs for 3 people out. It appears to be pouring down rain; was only supposed to be "occasional light rain" So much for accurate weather reporting (sigh) I have some time to kill before heading out for my bus, so I'm hoping it moves on.

I'm sure you are much happier with your new "agenda" that you set rather than what others set for you. I do envy you that, my friend. But, you have certainly earned it. I hope one day I can say the same. At this point I'd love to take Theresa and Tang and just disappear. Not from my friends here at LS, of course, just from my so called every day existence. Some other diminsion (with internet access to this one) would do just fine. I hope you and Noah have had a good Caturday and a peaceful evening. TTFN

TTT

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, cloudy, sometimes sunny 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 furkids are enjoying a pleasant day together.

Hope the rain did ease up by the time your travels began for home. Hope you were able to find some form of shelter while you waited for your buses if the rain continued to be steady.

Tracy, I can so relate to how you're feeling when you share with us: "At this point I'd love to take Theresa and Tang and just disappear. Not from my friends here at LS, of course, just from my so called every day existence. Some other diminsion (with internet access to this one) would do just fine." I remember feeling this way more times than not throughout my life, particularly when I was working at the venomous snake pit, and when financial burdens were more than immediate funds available. Tracy, I hope and pray that one day sooner than later you and your precious Theresa and little Tang will begin to know a better every day existence.

Noah is curled up next to me taking a pre-lunch nap as I'm writing to you. It is so comforting feeling his precious little body snuggled close to me. Soon it will be time to go start lunch warming on the stove.

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 furkids. Please know you and your precious Theresa and little Tang are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

I hung out in the office until about 5:30. When I stepped outside it was still cold and gray, but the rain had moved on enough that I didn't need my umbrella. Fortunately I was wearing a warm pull over sweat shirt and lined windbreaker. Both of my buses were no more than 5 minutes late and I was walking in the door at 8:15. Getting from my first bus to the second bus stop (via a pit stop in the Marriot restroom) was a bit problematic because apparently there was a Springstein concert at KFC/Yum! center getting ready to start; crowds make me queasy.

Making my way home from my second bus stop, I saw a cat (beautiful gray tabby) dart across the street to a couple people standing there. I was on alert immediately in case they were going to hurt him/her. But they just bent down to pet him/her. I was hoping they were the owners, but apparently not. He/she then darted back over to my side of the street. I talked to him/her expecting him/her to run. But just came right up and nuzzled my leg and let me pet him/her. He/she obviously has not been "out" very long to be so trusting. Broke my heart when I had to continue on my way. When I turned to look over my shoulder he/she was gone as if he/she was never there. If not for the other people that petted him/her, I would have thought it a ghost cat. Makes me both angry and sad to see that kind of thing. Was he/she lost (from escaping) or just put out by uncaring humans. Sadly the latter, probably.

Thanks for the wishes for things to get better. I really just think about "escaping" all the time now; probably why I post those pics in the other topic. Places I'd like to be. Anywhere but here and all that.

It was nice to have that extra hour to sleep this morning. Laundry was done by a little after 6. Cuddles with the kids and naps, etc. I hope you and Noah have had a great day and and even better evening. TTFN -

TTT

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, sunny Monday evening 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. Soon you will begin your voyage home to your precious furkids who are eagerly anticipating your arrival.

I know how much that little kitty tugged at your heart, Tracy. I know there is a part of you that would have gladly scooped him / her up in your arms to bring him / her home to join your household. Unfortunately there comes a point in time when all we can do is offer comfort and love at the time that is presented, and ask God to watch over and protect His precious creatures who are homeless or lost. How very blessed you are to be among the humans who offered this precious little soul a moment of comfort and love. It will not be forgotten, Tracy.

Today I decided to print out the three Christmas cards I will be mailing in a few weeks, so that's done. I also have the envelopes addressed. It has been nice seeing the sun again today, and am looking forward to the warmer temperatures later on in the week - - providing the forecast holds. Noah is continuing to do well. He has helped me on the computer today, and has been very talkative this afternoon. I am so blessed to have his sweet precious presence with me.

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 companions. Please know you and your precious Theresa and little Tang are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

Yes, that little kitty did pull at my heart strings. Yeah, I was glad to give him a moment of comfort, but wished (as I always do) I could do more (sigh) It's the same reason I put the food out for the cats in my apartments; even though I have to do it on the down low, like it's a crime or something.

I'm glad to hear you could spend quality time with Noah and that he was "talkative" Always a good sign he's feeling better. I'm trying not to think about the holidays for obvious reasons. I will have to work most liekely, and of course the sadness a certain memory brings me each December for the rest of my Earthly journey. I hope they bring you and Noah comfort and joy in any case. Well, getting ready to head home to Theresa and Tang. I hope you and Noah have a blessed and peaceful evening. TTFN

TTT

[LoveMyMickey]

Hi Tracy,

I hope by now you are home with your precious Theresa and Tang staying warm. We had lots of frost this morning.

Guess what?????....My husband puts the cat food out in the mornings while I get dressed. He yelled out "Blackie is back" I said are you sure and he said yes, because he hissed and smacked at me as I was putting the food down. I looked out later and Blackie was on the rug. I opened the door and he said "MEOW, MEOW, MEOW", as if to say, "it's me, it's me!!!!" I didn't get to give him much attention, because I had to get to the grocery store. We were running out of everything.....Anyway Blackie left as usual, so I don't know if he will be back or not. Anyway we know he is okay for now.....At night we put out 3 plates of food. In order to stretch it out, I mix canned cat food, dry cat food, leftovers like rice, etc and bread. I mix it all up and put it in containers, my husband calls it goulash, but they really love it, plus the servings of dry food......................I had a tearful spell yesterday while I was mixing up the food. I told Mickey, I wished I was doing this for him too................Well, on that note, I'll say goodnight, Tracy, and I hope you and sweet furbabies have a cozy and peaceful evening.........God Bless...P.S. I hope the little gray Tabby you saw stays safe.

LoveMyMickey

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you LoveMyMickey

I'm so very happy to hear that Blackie is OK. I'm thinking it's a he as he didn't come back with kittens. I don't understand though, if he likes you why he hisses and swats at you But then Tang swats at me too, as if to say "You have not been dismissed" That's my Sgt. Tang. I can understand trying to make the food go farther. I may start experimenting with that myself. I just wish I could go the extra mile the way you do in providing make shift shelter. But that's hard in an apartment complex where people are so heartless that they throw away the bowls I put the food out in. They surely would toss any kind of shelter I made.

I'm so sorry that putting the care packages together made you cry thinking of your dear sweet Mickey. But, the upside of that is he is always with you heart and soul. And I think you are right in that he'd want you to help these poor kitties. From what you have written, it just seems his kindly protective way. Anyway, I tip my hat to you in helping them. I hope you have a blissful evening. TTFN

TTT

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, cloudy, very chilly, gloomy weather early Tuesday evening 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. I know the clock is ticking to the time when you will be able to begin your journey homeward to your precious furkids - - the best part of the day.

One of the many wonderful things about this forum is that we can share our experiences with one another, and learn new ways of doing something - - or learn something new - - such as "chef" LoveMyMickey in preparing "soup kitchen" entrees for the homeless waifs who come for at least one square meal and perhaps temporary lodging.

Haven't done much today except enjoy the day with my precious Noah and work on a couple of computer projects. Still have the lunch dishes to do and make a trek to the mailbox. Noah is on his lamb's wool cushion giving himself a spruce up.

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 companions. Please know you and your precious Theresa and little Tang are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[LoveMyMickey]

Thank you Tracy and moon_beam for your kind words......Tracy, I know you would help the strays more if you could. I can tell you are a kind person and animal lover.

Blackie hasn't come back yet. I was thinking if he/she were a female, maybe she had some kittens somewhere. Maybe when Blackie swats, he is saying "hurry up already." Anyway I saw Bobtail and one Tuxedo yesterday evening, plus a Bandit. Bandits like the small bone shaped doggie treats. I ran out of treats this week, so we put out some old potato chips and of course they disappeared.

Tracy, give Sgt. Tang and Princess Theresa a special pat for me and I hope you all have a warm and cozy evening.....TTFN.

LoveMyMickey

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam and LoveMyMickey

By Bandits do you mean Racoons? Yes, I suppose Blackie is just being "expressive" with his paws like Tang does; I hope he comes around again.

Well ,I made it through another day with tomorrow off. Today the call center manager had some guy in a suit in tow trying to get face time with just us contractors, but we were all on calls. I asked who it was later and I was told it was a KFORCE rep (our agency) and that the only time they come around is when they have mutiple people there and are getting ready to "negotiate" terms of hiring. Who knows? But, I'm not gonna hold my breath. Listening to election returns with decidedly less passion than I had 12 or even 4 years ago. I'm not sure if I have gotten old or just tired.

At least I'm off tomorrow, but they are talking about some sleet (sigh) We'll see. Anyway, moon_beam, and LoveMyMickey, thanks for stopping by. I hope you both as well as Noah, Blackie and all the other critters have a peaceful and blessed evening. TTFN

TTT

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, cloudy, sometimes sunny Wednesday 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.

This is my third attempt of trying to post to you - - the internet has been up and down - - mostly down - - today, and every time I go to add reply the internet decides to go down and the link to this website is broken. Very frustrating.

I hope you will receive a job offer, Tracy, with a salary increase that will provide you and your precious companions better financial stability. Please let us know what happens.

Not much going on here at the homestead today. Noah has had his lunch and is enjoying a nap on his lamb's wool cushion. Lunch dishes are done.

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 furkids are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

I'll keep you posted. Today I set out, in the rain, to the store. I decided with the weather, rent being late with the late fee, and very little left over after that to limp to the next check, to just skip it and try to get by the best I can. There should be enough food and litter for the kittles to do that. They matter way more than I ever will. Cloudy, gray, and depressing. Not really sure how much more I can endure. Hope you and Noah are well and have a good evening.

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, breezy Thursday evening 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.

I know what you mean about your "priorities" being your precious Theresa's and little Tang's needs first. I have a similar "priority" list: My precious Noah, the house, the car - - then me.

Finally got a call from the service shop late this afternoon that my snow blower is now ready to be picked up. So I will make a trek into Rocky Mount tomorrow to pick it up and will stop off at the Treasurer's office to pay my taxes while I'm in town.

Noah continues to be doing well, and is now on top of the fridge watching intently as I'm writing to you. The lunch dishes still need to be washed and a trek to the mailbox made, so I will get this posted to you (hopefully - - with internet connection cooperation).

Soon you will be on your journey home to your precious Theresa and little Tang - - the best part of the day. I hope today has been 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 companions. Please know you and your precious Theresa and little Tang are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

[Tom's Dad]

Thank you moon_beam

Glad to hear your snow blower is ready. I hope you won't need it too much. Smiling at Noah watching you from atop his "perch" - Also glad he is feeling better.

I know what you mean by the priorities (sigh) it's looking more an more like I won't be able to get the rent in until the evening of the 16th paycheck. I'm going to ask (beg really) if they will, just this once, waive the second late fee. If not, then it's going to cost me 120.00 it total fees this time around (over and above my rent) God, will this vicious cycle ever end?

Nothing new on the work front. My new sup, seeing that I like to read, asked me what I was reading. Taking that in, he lent me a book that got a thumbs up from Stephen King (like that ever happens) that's almost 900 pages. That should keep me a while. And he's holding the next book in the series. Reading is really my only lasting escape these days, and I appreciate the gesture.

Theresa and Tang were waiting by the door with their usual greetings. Their soft fur, nuzzles and kisses; their meows. It's very uplifting in an otherwise miserable existance. I'm truly blessed to have them. I hope you and Noah are well and have a wonderful evening. TTFN

TTT

[moon_beam]

Hi, Tracy, sunny pleasant Friday 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.

I truly am so very sorry that you are enduring through difficult financial times, my friend. Just hang in here - - focus on one day at a time - - and your blessings of your precious Theresa and little Tang.

I made the trek into Rocky Mount this morning to pay the taxes. While I was in the treasurer's office I had the presence of mind to inquire if there was a personal property tax on the car. The CSR confirmed there was - - the tax notices were mailed yesterday. In previous years they were mailed together. So I paid the county tax on the car while I was there. I suspected NOT receiving a tax bill on the car was "too good to be true" as the saying goes.

From there I went to the service shop to pick up the snow blower. They did not charge me anything beyond the $15 deposit I gave them 7 weeks ago when I dropped it off on Friday, September 21. When I got it home I was able to get it started, so they must have done something to it.

So these errands are now taken care of for another year. Noah was very glad to see me back home, as I was glad to get back home to him. He is on his bathroom window perch enjoying the sunbeams. Soon it will be time to start lunch warming on the stove, and he will be eagerly anticipating having lunch served in his bowl as well.

I know you have quite awhile to go until it is time for you to begin your travels home to your precious companions. 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 companions. Please know you and your precious Theresa and little Tang are in my thoughts and prayers, and that I always look forward to sharing your news and your treasured memories of your beloved Sir Thomas.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam