days_unfolding

Woke up at 7:30 AM. Fed all of us. Napped.

I’ve been staying out with Bella a good long time with good results.

I got my grocery order, but I forgot to get some “Munchie Bones” for Bella. I’ll run get some tonight or tomorrow.

I’m thinking of what to do today. I want another short nap. Shower. I need to work with Bella on her harness, use the shims to balance the aquarium, work on the kitchen, and work on music for choir.

Ugh. Trump is applying tariffs to Canada and Mexico. Coming soon to a grocery store near you.

Bella is chasing Oliver, and she crawled under the bed. I didn’t think that she could fit under there.

Napped. Went to sign up for Bumble’s friends feature, but they want four photos. I don’t have four photos. Okay, I found four.

The Worldwide Wrestling Federation (Oliver and Lily) are on my kitchen table. Now Oliver took a flying leap down the stairs. Craziness around here :)

Oliver knocked down my soda and various stuff on some shelves by my sink. Took a shower. Bella pooped while I was in the shower. I’m thinking about what she’s telling me, that she needs to poop around 5:30PM. Oliver went down in the basement when I was throwing the bag of poop down the stairs.

I found someone whom I like on Bumble’s friend feature. But they want $59.99 a month! Pretty steep! Okay, I did subscribe and filled out my profile. We’ll see how this goes.

Oliver is now complaining that he’s down in the basement :) But it makes it easier for me to feed Zara and Mimi and take Bella out. I’ll let him out and feed him in a little while (done).

I’m really tired. I’m thinking of going to sleep early.

Bella just shut Oliver in the bathroom :)

I was making dinner, when my phone reminded me that I had a meeting with the new life coach. She’s good. We came up with a plan for getting organized. I kind of hate that having an accountability partner will make a difference, but it probably will.

Hi Adrienne, great session today! Here's a quick summary of the action items we discussed: 1. Sunday/tomorrow you'll work to clear the kitchen. 2. Set a Google Home reminder to clear the countertop daily, to start on Tuesday. 3. Pick one box and write something on it to remind you it's just one box at at time. 4. Next weekend, move all the shed items out of the living room. 5. Once the living room is done, clear the library so the book shelves can be installed. Remember to set up that reminder on your Google Home to help reinforce the new habit of clearing the counter each day. I'm excited to hear how the idea of using music during tidying helps make it more enjoyable! I'm confident you're going to make great progress on this. Remember, it's all about building momentum and celebrating small victories. I'll check in on your progress next week and feel free to reach out if you need any support. - Amanda

The puppy is tired after running around. I still think that going to bed early is a plan. I just need to feed the hordes (in progress) and take Bella out (done).

Woke up at 7 AM. Got the recycling bins out.

Blue heelers are herding dogs and I think that Bella’s trying to herd the cats. Oliver runs around a lot, and I think that her "squishing" is to try to get him to stop. Lily doesn’t run around as much, and Bella doesn’t try to squish her.

Huh. It just occurred to me that I could foster a cat for Hospice Hearts, but I am at the maximum number of cats for Champaign County. Not sure how that would work. Though I need to work through Bella and the cats first.

Hmm. I need a hook on the wall for Bella's harness and leash. Though once I get the bookcases moved, I can use the coat rack.

Oh okay. Mimi doesn't want to eat near the gate. I moved her dish in and she's chowing down.

For some reason, Costco hasn't shipped the canned dog food, so I ordered some from Walmart to include in today's order. Okay, I got it today along with an enormous bag of dry food. I’m not sure how I’ll get the bag in the basement.

I took Oliver and Lily to the vet for their feline leukemia booster shot. Oliver, in fact, was already in the carrier so I just shut the door! I made an appointment for Mimi on Monday because she has been picking at her food. I think that it's mostly because of the new cats, but want to make sure. She's awfully thin. I looked into high-calorie supplements for cats, but I’ll see what the vet says.

Zara, on the other hand, is doing well. I’ll bring her in for the feline leukemia shot though. I haven’t gotten the shot records for Bella yet. If I haven’t gotten it by early next week, I’ll text the shelter again.

Feeding the critters is still a zoo. Oliver, though, seems to be respecting others’ food more. Bella, no. Zara went up again in my estimation. Oliver and Bella barged into Zara’s room again. Zara started to eat while they were there! She wanted to drink too but was unsure, so I pushed Bella out of the room and shut the door. Then Oliver started to move and I grabbed him and took him out of the room. I don’t know why Bella is so pushy when I feed her first.

In general, though, the critters seem quieter than yesterday. I haven’t started cleaning yet though. Oliver and Lily are sleeping off their shot.

Bella is walking around with her ball. I think that she wants me to throw it, but she won’t give it to me! She doesn’t quite have the concept.

Well, crud. The harness didn’t fit Bella. I ordered one a size up. It’ll get here late, so I’ll probably just do a practice walk with it and the leash. Probably just as well because I’m having an IBS flare up and want to stay close to a bathroom.

I took Bella out and wound up playing ball with her. I imitated the movement that dogs make when they want to play and she did it too. She was running at top speed all over the place. Well, apparently that distracted her from doing her business because she had her first accident in a long time. Maybe I should have waited longer after she ate to take her out.

I took a “short” nap, shut off my alarm, and slept until a little after midnight. Bella slept with me and was out cold.

The harness was not delivered yet.

I need to feed the hordes, post, and go back to sleep.

Had my Italian lesson. She felt sorry for Oliver because I shut him in the bathroom, but he got upstairs last night, and I wanted to be able to close the gate. I'll feed them and let him out (done).

I'm very sleepy this morning. And cold. I'm glad that I remembered the Italian lesson last night though because a Monday holiday always throws me off.

It’s still cold. Took Bella out. There was a big leaf careening down the street. It went against the fence and she sniffed it cautiously. Then she was like, that’s enough. Let’s go in. LOL.

Napped at lunch with Bella. Bella thinks that it's too cold to go out, although she did pee but was grateful to go inside.

The shelter responded to my question about the poodle. I think that I'll leave it in the lap of the gods. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be.

I suck at small talk. I just signed up for a class in it (and avoided their upsell). Hmm, I chat with my Italian teacher okay, but come prepared. I need a list of topics to talk about.

I keep getting emails about upgrading my bathroom, but I don't think that I'll be able to do it this year.

Did I say that I was tired? I think that it should be an early night.

I ordered dog food for delivery from Costco. The delivery fee is only $3, which is worth it for me. I’m not sure about cat food. Zara is so particular about her food, but Oliver and Lily will probably eat anything. Okay, I’m going to try some Wellness cat food. It’ll get eaten one way or another.

I’m going to gather garbage tonight, but I think that it’s too cold to take the can out. My face and hands have been hurting when I take Bella out. Bella wanted to go out again. She got distracted because the Amazon guy brought packages up the stairs—she’s a really good tracker and probably part hunting dog—but she finally did poop. I can’t blame her too much because it is really cold (0F/-18C and windy and miserable).

Ate dinner. I’m going to lie down for a few minutes under a warm blanket.

I read some about blue heelers, which is part of Bella’s heritage, and they like to stay with their humans (true) and get destructive when bored (hmm?) I just bought her a puzzle toy to pique her interest.

I got the can organizers from Amazon. Maybe I’ll get up early and make tea and work with them.

Ugh. I’m feeling cold inside of me. I’m thinking of just going to bed. Tomorrow, it’s supposed to go up to 25F/-4C. A heat wave!

I’ve been in the bed long enough for it to really heat me up. Plus, I have a dog next to me :) I hate to get up, but I need to post and take Bella out one more time.

Woke up a little before 6 AM. The puppy was looking at me like, are you really going to get up now? I really got up now. It’s freaking cold out (wind chill of -5F/-20C) and my nose is running. There’s a cold weather advisory tonight with wind chills as low as 19 below zero (-29C).

Oliver is telling me, quit sitting and feed me! Bella says, pet me! Good to know that I’m useful :) Bella thinks that when I’m talking, it must be to her. Why would I talk to the cats? (I was talking to Lily.)

I’m mulling over a friend for Bella. There is a standard poodle that I was looking at, but the shelter from which I adopted Bella has a border collie mix that looked good. Hmm. The border collie is a puppy though. Do I really want a puppy? Though there would be a lot of grooming fees for the poodle.

I tried to shut Bella in the bedroom while I fed the cats but she noped out. Lily eats slowly, so I spent my time shooing Oliver and Bella away. I need to feed Bella (done) but I’m taking a break.

Napped. Took Bella out. She never does her business right away, but runs around and sniffs first. And she checks to make sure that I’m following her! I bring a ball out with us, but whether we play depends on how cold I am :) Today I asked her to go in, and she listened to me! That amazes me. In contrast, Oliver NEVER listens to me.

I don’t know why I thought that it was going to be warm today. It’s too cold to go clean up dog poop (12F/-11C with a wind chill of -11F/-24C).

I found a skin care place in Champaign that interests me. But I’m having a facial on the cruise, so I’ll wait until afterwards.

Got Bella her chew stick. She started whining in the bathroom where she has previously pooped, which got me vaulting up to take her out. I forgot my hat and pulled my hood up, which was made for a taller person, so I can barely see out of it. After all that, she didn’t do anything.

I’m trying to figure out my day. I think that I want another nap. Then I’ll work on the kitchen until 3 and then take a shower. My singing lesson got moved to 4:30. After that, I’ll cook. Then I’ll go upstairs and get the aquarium set up after putting Oliver in kitty jail. And then I’ll work on the kitchen again.

Hmm. Bella’s nails are long. But they’re black, so I’d be worried about cutting the quick. I guess that I’ll ask the vet to do them and see how far they cut them back.

Napped. The puppy is next to me on the bed.

Bella doesn’t like artificial chews. She picks them up and drops them.

For some reason, I’m remembering my mom hugging the elephant that I gave her, and that breaks my heart.

Hmm. I have a shoe rack over the door in the library, but I’m thinking to move it to the bedroom and put over-the-door hooks for backpacks and purses (ordered from Amazon).

Zara is being cuddly. I managed to keep Oliver out of my singing lesson. Bella too. Just me and Zara.

Had a great singing lesson. She started me on an Italian art song along with the sight-singing and the music that I’ll be learning in choir. Zara crashed out cold. I think that she likes having me in here. But I should take Bella out. I’ll come back later and practice piano.

Ugh. The cold isn’t messing around. It goes through my jeans.

Ugh again. I need a new stepladder, but Lowe’s is charging $79 for delivery. I’ll have to check Home Depot. It was cheaper, yay!

Oliver likes the warm stove. I’m baking pizza. It’s kind of cold in here. I should get to work, which would warm me, but I’m huddling next to the oven.

I should bring in the plastic food containers from the car. I want to set up a pet food center with labels for each food of the critter eating it. I have a label maker upstairs.

I printed off a ton of music for piano. My teacher suggested that I put it in a binder, so I went on Walmart's site to order one plus some other odds and ends. Then they said that there was a deal that if you spent $500 on Walmart+ Travel, you get $100 back. Sounded good to me, so I upgraded my hotel stay in Miami, and it's paid for so I don't have to worry about it. They didn't say that I'll get the $100 (actually, $133) after the stay. But it'll be good to have extra money then.

Mimi is being extra snuggly. It's chilly up here. I’m leaving the space heater on; it has an automatic shutoff if it tips over. I might bring up the large heater.

The pizza is knocking me out, lol. I’m thinking about feeding the critters and going to bed soon.

Got my second wind and started organizing pet stuff. I just spent a ridiculous amount of money on cat food and dog food can organizers. Set up the dry food containers.

Oliver thinks he’s a kitten and jumps onto my leg when I’m standing. Ouch.

Bella did her business rather efficiently, so I guess that she’s feeling the cold. I wore the hood over my hat and it helped. Everyone is fed. I was holding off Bella from eating Lily’s food, and then Oliver tried to eat the food, and Bella got in his face. “If I can’t have it, you can’t have it either.” LOL.

Ten o'clock and I'm going to crash.

Bella has found a way to play with Oliver. They play a little rough, but no one is getting hurt so okay. She also wants to play with Lily, but Lily is having none of it, which is just as well because Lily is so delicate. Lily has no fear of telling Bella to back off though. She's like the tiny cat that ROARED! She seems to have grown some too, but I think that she’ll be smaller than Oliver.

I requested to sign up for the 3D Italian Campus, but haven't heard back yet. It sounds like a very well organized course, and I can practice with my Italian teacher. The point, though, is to do a lesson every day.

I had two cats and a dog watching me get ready for bed. Apparently, I need supervision.

Bella: The best toys are found toys. Me: Ummm.…I’m going to sign her up for the obedience training class and we’ll shop for some toys afterwards.

I'm leaving Zara's door open except when she's eating because I hope to get her integrated into the rest of the family. She has seen Bella several times but is unsure of her.

Got up on time but decided to spend the day in pajamas. I'm very sleepy. It's a good morning, though, when I had a purring Lily and purring Mimi on my lap.

Went to enroll Bella in a training class, only to discover that her medical record says only "adult vaccines". Texted the shelter, asking for a list. Oh crud, it looks like the class is full. The next class runs into my trip. I need to look into other classes. The Dog Training Club of Champaign-Urbana has Spring session classes starting on March 30th. I could do that. I'm kind of curious about "nose" training classes too because Bella tracks steps in the yard.

I didn’t close the door fast enough when I went for my nap, and Oliver burrowed under the covers. Okay. Then he bit me on the thigh, and I forceably escorted him out of the bedroom. Ouch.

Had a nice nap. The puppy crashed out too. I took her out afterward, but she clearly wanted to go back to sleep. Received my three-prong-to-two prong adapter plugs.

I read tommx on DW's post on Bach's "Air on a G String," and I haven't heard it for a while, so I listened to it. Bach is my favorite composer, and I loved it. It occurred to me that I should listen to Bach when I first wake up; it would help me wake up. Hmm, if I set up my Echo Dot, could I get it to play a preselected piece when I wake up? That would be cool. Maybe I should listen to Bach while I clean and organize too. There hasn't been enough music in my life. Well, not enough recorded music.

I was thinking about my reaction to various composers of classical music. I love every instrumental piece by Bach, but his choral music leaves me flat, although I listen to the Mass in B Minor occasionally. Mozart is pretty but generally leaves me cold, but I love the Requiem and can listen to it over and over. I watched the Marriage of Figaro though, and the embellishments drove me crazy. (There would be one sentence on the subtitles, and they'd sing for 10 minutes!) I don't know a lot of Mozart's work though, so maybe there are pieces that I would like. I do like the "Clarinet Concerto". I went to play the Clarinet Concerto, and Amazon Music played instead Massenet:" Méditation de Thaïs," which I also love. I should listen to more Massenet.

Because I'm not going to go to the dog training session on Sunday after all, I just ordered some Kong dog chew toys from Amazon. I hope that Bella likes them.

I’m kind of rolling my eyes over how many doors and gates I need to close when the hordes are eating. They are no respecters of each other’s food. All the hordes are fed. I haven’t been fed yet, but I’m the low creature on the totem pole :)

I thought that Bella was acting like she wanted to poop, so I took her out even though she had been out not too long ago, and I was right. I’m learning to read her.

Oh My God! Peace agreement in Gaza! About fucking time! I am so happy to hear that!!!!

I subscribed to online access to The New Yorker to get access to an article that I’ve wanted to read for a while. (It was about a woman who had postpartum psychosis and killed her kids. No, not Andrea Yates.) That linked to an article about a guy whose brother died in the Lockerbie bombing, and he has been trying for years to solve the case. Both articles were very good.

I think that I’ll go to sleep early and get up early to get the recycling out and to scrub the aquarium heater.

The puppy is crashed out cold and is snoring a little.

Oh, I should set up the Echo Dot. I need to find it first.

Aargh!! I spent a ton of time getting Alexa set up and trying to get it to play Bach to wake me up tomorrow morning, only for it to say that “music alarms are not supported for this device”. Did I say “aargh”? Google Home is easier to use, but I don’t know where my Home device is. A Google Home Speaker would have better sound. I ordered an open box one on Mercari for half-price. Oh, it looked like I needed an Echo Spot. Okay, I ordered one and will use the Google Home to play music while I’m organizing. I could bring it or the Echo Dot upstairs to remind me to take my meds.

I pulled out Mimi’s wet food dish, which had a little food left in it. Oliver was eating the food, but some of it got on my hands, and Lily was licking it off of me. And my heart filled with love for this cute little cat. I never thought that I’d meet another cat whom I loved as much as Harlee (although Zara comes close), but I might wind up loving Lily as as much.

Got my home insurance taken care of. Now it's bedtime.

Bella was nosing around the bathroom where she previously pooped, so I hastily took her outside. She did need to poop, but she also did zoomies making circles around the house.

Bella ate Lily’s food while I was feeding Zara and Mimi. So I gave Lily more food and guarded it, Bella and Oliver thought that it was unfair that Lily got to eat. Life at the zoo :) I might need to feed Bella wet food because she’s jealous of the cats’ food. Hmm, they don’t seem to have Hill’s wet dog food at Walmart. PetSmart has it. Geesh expensive. Maybe I should look at cheaper food.

Bella finally settled down. I think that it’s bedtime.

Lily snuck in. Bella was in the doggy bed, but saw me petting Lily and jumped on the bed. I was dividing my pets between them. Now they’re both settled.

Woke up with the daily alarm on my iPhone at 7:30 AM. Crazy pets are manic. I got smart and shut Bella in the bedroom while I fed the cats so that she wouldn’t eat the cats’ food. Peace and quiet now that the cats are fed.

Maybe I’ll try Costco for wet dog food.

I’m glad that I have a garbage can in the kitchen with a lid to keep the dog and cats out of it.

Bella and Oliver think that it’s unfair that I get to eat.

I’m slowly learning Bella’s rhythms. She doesn’t do her business when she first gets up, but after breakfast is good.

Sigh. Went with Bella to take a nap, but Oliver is in here. Bella wants to play with Oliver, but he doesn’t understand. Oliver left. Now it’s nap time. Woke up after an hour, but I might go back to sleep. It just occurred to me that I shouldn’t go out with a cold without a mask, but I don’t know where I have one. I should check the car. I seem to be awake. Maybe I’ll lie down after my shower while my hair dries.

The puppy is lying perpendicular in the dog bed with her face dangling outside. Okay.

Found a mask.

Hmm. I need to shower, let my hair dry, use the snow blower, and brush off the cars before I can go to Costco. I might go tomorrow instead. Bella has food; it’s just not wet food. She is out of her “munchie bones,” so I’ll go to Walmart. Though if I get canned dog food there, I could put in a grocery list (done, so I don’t need to go anywhere).

Hmm, if I’m not going anywhere, I’ll just wear sweats after my shower.

Bella doesn’t like me petting the cats. I should pet her! Sigh. She’s gone from being timid to really pushy. Bella the DestructoDog is chewing up a box. This place looks like a nightmare.

Bella was playing kind of rough with Oliver—knocking him over—so I took her outside with her ball to work off some excess energy. The Walmart delivery showed up. The guy wanted extra money for delivering it, but I already paid a tip. Bella now has one of her beloved chew sticks. I do need to get dressed though to try to take Bella for a walk. It might not last long because she hates harnesses and leashes.

I have a headache, so I’m going to take acetaminophen and lie down for a while. Went to lie down and was going to close the door against Oliver when I saw him on the other side of the room. I swear that cat can teleport.

Overslept my nap. Gave Bella some wet food, and she loved it. Fed the cats. It’s going to be a little late to get the sidewalks cleared tonight, so I’ll wait until tomorrow. I’ll make some pizza. Had some quality time with a purring Lily.

I’m feeling better but still have a cough. I think that it’ll be an early night tonight.

The kitchen chairs have macrame covers with tassels. Both the cats and Bella have gone after the tassels, so I might have to take them off.

The pizza was good. Lily was stalking it but I kept it away from her.

Took Bella out for zoomies and to play with the ball. Oliver got out momentarily when we came in. I grabbed him.

I’m feeling like taking a nap, so I should just go to bed early. I need to scoop the litter boxes, feed Bella and the cats, and then go to bed.

I’m losing my voice and am wondering if I should call in sick. Yeah, I did. It feels like someone rubbed my throat with steel wool.

The puppy is licking everything that she can reach :) Oliver (I’m assuming) knocked over the orchids. I gave Bella her ball. I’m not sure what she did with it. Fed the beasties. Bella is a “half-a-lap” dog.

I’m getting more money from the sale of Mom’s house than I thought, so I’m wondering if I should go solar. I found a solar calculator, but I need to find out how much energy I’m using. Okay, solar costs less than I thought. I might do it. It would cost me the equivalent of $1000 a year while I'm in the house. I'll have to check, but I think that's cheaper than my current energy bill. Yeah, it is. I also requested a quote on a heat pump. Why can't places email me quotes? Why do they have to call me? I'm not answering my phone. I DON'T LIKE PHONE CALLS!

Watched President Carter’s funeral until CNN’s feed started flaking out. Slept until 1 PM. Freaked out when I woke up because I forgot that I called in sick.

I need to remember to take the ball when I take Bella outside to play fetch with her.

The shelter from which I adopted Bella has a labradoodle who is deaf. He interests me, but I wonder how hard it would be to work with his deafness. And I have to wait until I get more money before adopting another pup. Actually, I did find an Australian cattle dog/blue heeler dog that sounds great, but the same applies. And they want a “family reference”. My dad is not going to help me get a dog, so I don’t know whom I would use.

Bella was ripping up the paper towels. In front of me! I rescued them.

Ack! They’re predicting more snow tonight. 3 to 4 inches. Must remember to charge the snow blower.

Bella and I played outside with the ball. She was having a blast. She was trotting around with it in her mouth. A passerby with a dog said that she was a pretty dog :) Bella was shy with the dog. She now has the ball with her in bed.

I looked up dog daycare per one_raido’s comment and also dog groomers because I could picture Bella getting muddy in the Spring.

Oh lord, she is squeaking the ball.

I was petting Bella and I stopped, so she got up off the bed and flumped into the dog bed. My little drama queen :)

Tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t sleep.

It occurred to me that I should get the TV in the bedroom set up after Bella wakes up. And I should move the pictures.

Cool. Bella’s collar shipped.

The puppy was whining because she wanted on my lap, but Lily is there. Life is tough.

Bella pooped in the bathroom while I was upstairs. I got it cleaned up and put the bag outside so that it doesn’t stink up the place. Then I took her outside, but she didn’t need to do anything. I gave her her ball, and she’s currently squeaking it. She really wants to eat the dry cat food. I told her that she has her own food, but it isn’t as tasty as forbidden fruit. Well, she had finished her food so mea culpa. I fed her.

I want to make some Ramen to soothe my throat (done and eaten). Had frozen yogurt for dessert and Lily wanted it.

I've got the cat dishes soaking. Zara and Oliver went nose to nose. Then Zara hissed, but still, progress. Oliver got upstairs in Mimi's lair, and that didn't go so well. I've since dumped him out. He's getting smarter about how I was keeping him out, using the gate itself to corral him.

I think that I want to go back to bed soon.

A friend recommended Bark Box, and I'm also looking at KitNipBox for the cats. This place is going to be all toys of various sorts. I'm wondering how to keep Bella from chewing the cats' toys. Maybe I should keep them up somewhere when they're not being played with.

Bella has decided that it’s bedtime already. She’s a morning dog.

Overslept and had to scramble because I was taking Oliver and Lily to the vet for their first checkup. Made it there, and they were pronounced healthy. I'm getting Feline Leukemia shots for them because I think that Oliver will get out sometime (he is fast), and there is an outdoor cat nearby.

Bella has started jumping up with her front paws on me. I don't mind it but don't want her to do that to anyone else, so I'll have to train her not to do that. Now I'm mulling over the training class again.

Bella is whining because she's lonely. I'll be down for lunch in a few minutes.

Crud. In the hour that I was upstairs, Bella got a roll of toilet paper and shredded it plus brought out some things that Oliver knocked down this morning. I thought about taking her out at lunchtime, but I had taken her out as soon as I got back from the vet, so I thought that she would be okay. Well, she pooped in the bathroom (at least it was the bathroom) when I lay down for my nap. Now she's sleeping. I guess that the moral of the story is if if I'm thinking of taking her outside, to take her outside.

Bella's pacifism doesn't apply to squirrels :) She chased one out of the yard. She saw another one in the tree, and was standing transfixed underneath it. Eventually, I got her to come in after telling her that it wasn't likely to come down if she's there.

Because Bella likes to shred things, I've been giving her empty Lean Cuisine boxes to shred. Maybe I should give her mail to be shredded! I ordered her some deer antlers (forgive me, Bambi) and rawhide bones from Amazon.

Bella saw another dog when she was out. We were coming in but she stopped cold. She doesn’t run over to other dogs, just looks at them.

Hmm. I have Pilates tonight, but I’m tired and Bella seems kind of fragile today. Plus it’s getting really cold tonight (19F/-7C now with a wind chill of 9F/-13C). I can rationalize anything :)

Zara has discovered the cat bed that I put in the library room for her. She was looking at Bella but then ran away. Lily and Bella almost went nose to nose.

I was realizing that Bella doesn’t understand me as much as I don’t understand her. But it’s been only a few days. She likes lying on the bed with me, so I could take some time to sit and read. Tried to nap, but decided that I want to do my chores and get to bed early.

I’m wondering if Bella needs a dog companion, but want to wait and see. The training class would be a good way to see how she interacts with other dogs. I did see a Sheltie online who likes cats and other dogs.

Got the garbage out. The cans were frozen shut, so I gave up and put the bag next to them.

Ate some soup and now I’m wiped out. I need to put clothes in the dryer (done) but I think that I’ll get up early to do dishes. Oh, and I need to feed the cats (done). And take Bella out for the last time tonight.

Overslept my alarm. I had three cats in the bedroom. Now Zara is in the kitchen with the youngsters. Good girl. Managed to take a shower without Oliver in the bathroom.

I looked at Little Free Library kits because that would be a way to get rid of my extra books, but sheesh. Expensive. I'll have to think about that.

Mimi is on my lap, quacking. I told her that she's awfully furry for a duck. All's right with her world. I heard a loud crash from downstairs. Do I want to know what that was? Oliver is at the gate, and Mimi is annoyed. He's insisting on staying up here because I'm doing something! And he wants to know what!

If we got snow last night, it's melted. No, there's a dusting on the ground that I couldn't see from my desk.

Mimi is on window patrol. She's not going to like it when I have that tree taken down when I have the garage built.

Got the dog stuff set up, part of which is cat stuff. I wanted to move a litter box in with Zara because she might not want to come in the bedroom if the dog is there. Oliver and Lily checked out the dog bed. Tried to nap but didn’t quite fall asleep. I’ve been cuddling with Lily the Love Bug.

I looked into a board to go over the aquarium. It looks like I'd need manufactured wood, which comes in 4 feet by 8 feet, and a saw (I'd probably have to buy a used circular saw) to cut it to size. Does anyone know of a way to get someone to cut the board for you? I'd rather not get a saw that I won't usually use. And I don't have a workbench. I did find a used folding workbench that I could buy. Or plexiglass? I need something that would hold the weight of a cat. (The lid that it has does not.) Hmm, maybe I should ask Erik (my ex) what he recommends. (Sent an email.)

Hmm. My nose runs all winter long. I figured that it was something that I had to put up with, but maybe I should ask the doctor about it? Which reminds me, I need to make an appointment with my primary, but I don't like her, so I'm procrastinating. I need to find someone else. Okay, I scheduled an appointment. I like being able to schedule one online. And I checked Dr. Google, and runny noses during winter are normal, if annoying.

I looked up info about the Urbana Dog Park. I think that I should train Bella to come when called before I take her there. I need to look into training classes. Dog treats. I didn't get dog treats. Ordered some from Amazon. Oh, I also could pick some up at the Walmart where I'm meeting the dog shelter person.

I received another Green Chef box, and I'm not done with the last one. I need to do mass amounts of cooking this weekend.

Just remembered to stick a pen in my purse because I'm sure that I'll have to sign things when I pick Bella up. Although I did fill out some forms online, so maybe not?

Poor Lily is not happy that I'm upstairs without her. I explained to her that it's because of her brother, but she misses me.

I was about to leave to go pick up Bella (I’m meeting the shelter person at the Walmart on Bloomington, about an hour from here, and I want to pick up dog treats there) when the shelter person texted me that they were running about an hour late. It worked out well because I needed to heat up the car to get rid of some ice, so I did that and ran an errand. Now I’m having some quality time with Lily and Oliver.

I got there in plenty of time before the shelter person got there and bought four different kinds of dog treats for Bella (and some human treats too). I waited inside the Walmart for them to text me because it was cold outside. Finally they did, and I drove over too them, and they gave me Talley/Bella. She was crawling along the ground, poor scared girl, but she jumped in the car.

I forgot to wear my night vision glasses on the way back. (They did help on the way out.) Bella came out of the car willingly and went into the yard. She did not pee. She really didn't want to come in the house, but she finally did. I brought her into the bedroom because it was quiet. She saw my bed and promptly jumped on it. (So much for the dog bed that I bought. I wonder if I can return it?) Oliver and Lily came in and met Bella and seemed a little cautious (which is to say, Oliver didn't get in her face) but were mostly unfazed.

I gave Bella some food and water, but she didn't touch it. She ate treats from my hand though, so I hand-fed her some food. Then I gave her the bowl on the bed, and she ate a lot. I gave her water on the bed, and she drank. I took her outside, and she didn't pee. I fed the cats.

Now she's in the bedroom. I'm going to try taking her out one more time and then get ready for bed. I'm going to set my alarm for 5 AM to take her out again. Then I'll feed her and the cats, and then go back to sleep.

Spent some quality time with Zara and Mimi. I want to reassure them.

I bought some pooper scoopers.

Zara’s schooling Oliver! He ran after her and she was swiping at him.

Lily really wants to be let out. I’ll do so after my nap this morning.

Fed the catlings and myself.

I’m staying home today and will work on the house.

I need to get a “Please close the gate—dogs live here” sign on Etsy (done).

Started laundry. Had a nice long nap, but I feel like going back to bed. Oh well, it’s a holiday, so I’ll take another nap. Couldn’t sleep. It didn't help that Oliver was rolling around on my head and then did a pungent poop in the litter box.

Ugh. Zara was in here, but Oliver came in here, and she ran into the library room. Oliver followed her in there, so I forcibly removed him. At least, he’s easy to distract. Oliver gets into faces, whether they’re human or feline. He needs to stop that. Hmm, I’m wondering how I can work on the library room if Zara is in there and Oliver follows me around.

I’m looking for a dog boarding place for during my cruise in March. That’s a long time for Angel (Bella?) to be mostly alone. I found a place that also does dog training. Excellent. There's another place called "Dog House on the Prairie".

Hmm. Working is going to be interesting later this week because Oliver likes to walk on and lie on computers. I might have to put him in kitty jail. Maybe I should bring the gate upstairs and put him in the guest room.

I’m trying to decide what to do, let Lily out or work on the aquarium. I think that I want to work on the aquarium. Oliver wanted to be involved with decorating the aquarium. I told him that a cat does not add. I think that I want a board to put over the top of it. Oliver has already fallen in. (There’s no water in it yet.)

Crud. They’re predicting snow on Thursday, but only about an inch.

I think that I’ll let Lily out when I’m making my Green Chef dinner. I’ll be able to keep an eye on her. No, I let her out now. She told Oliver off. She’s tiny, but feisty. She seems to be doing okay. Oliver runs after her, and she turns and growls, and he slams on the brakes. It’s pretty funny. He’s still trying to bother Lily. I’m kind of glad that she likes to climb and he doesn’t. I have to admit that it’s easier for the rest of us when he’s distracted by Lily.

Lily’s still scared of me, although she did sniff my hand. That’s okay; she’ll get used to me.

I’ve decided that I’ll make the Creamy Garlic-Herb Chicken Skillet tonight. It seems fairly easy.

I ordered “Muddy Mats” for the front and back doors and they’ve arrived. Perfect timing with the dog coming later this week. I’ll have to remember to put a rag by the door to wipe muddy paws.

Napped. I’m not sure exactly when I went to sleep but I think that it was three or four hours. Oliver and Lily are okay. She’s advanced to smacking Oliver if he gets too close. I’ve got their dishes soaking. Fed the hordes. I’m starting to really like Lily. She asks for what she wants (in this case, food). She isn’t a pushover.

Oliver knocked his food off of the counter (I have to feed him first because he tries to eat everyone else’s food) and started to eat Lily’s food. I rescued it and gave it to her in the bathroom.

Hmm. It just occurred to me that cooking might be difficult with Oliver around. And I’m hungry now. I’m thinking of having a cooking day tomorrow when I make the food and freeze it. Maybe I’ll start prepping tonight. Maybe I should shut Oliver in the bathroom while I cook.

Now I’m wondering if I should call the dog Bella because she is beautiful. I found a site on Etsy that has a collar personalized with the dog’s name and the person’s phone number and address.

There’s a fly in here that Lily is stalking. Oliver is licking up my Louisiana Crunch Cake crumbs. Strange kitty. Lily is licking the fork that Oliver knocked down.

I shut Oliver in the bathroom and made the food. It looks good. I’m letting it cool off. I’ll try a little and freeze the rest. It’s pretty good. And it’s healthy; it has chicken, kale, cauliflower, and peas, plus some cheese and sauce. I enjoyed the cooking. Put it in the freezer but realized that I don’t have freezer tape. I need to get some. Loaded the dishwasher and started it and let Oliver out.

Oh good. I was wondering where I could walk Bella before driving back from Bloomington to Champaign (a little over an hour). The TA Travel Center (a truck stop) has a dog run. I’ll buy a soda there and walk her. I’m also going to stop at a rest stop on the way.

Now I’m thinking that I’ll stay up for the New York City countdown (it’s almost 11:30 there), feed the cats, start another load of laundry, and go to bed.

I missed the New York countdown because Oliver was rolling around on my laptop and shut off my WiFi. Somehow, that's appropriate. I'm going to post while he's running around and go feed them and do the nightly routine. Happy furry New Year, everyone!