We've been locked in cat prison for about a week, when all of a sudden, the Pretty Lady showed up to get us out on parole. Apparently she had a few mishaps on her vacation to New York City. I guess she, the Old Guy's Mom and son, Derek, were supposed to leave NYC for home on Christmas Day. They ended up leaving the Old Guy behind because he was throwing up all over the apartment (24 hour flu). The Old Guy booked a flight the next day (Sunday) which turned out to be the day of one of the more fierce snow storms in NYC history. He kept booking new flights but couldn't get home until Friday, the 31st. But I digress. The Pretty Lady was also sick with the flu but a different one. She only felt like barfing but had an over 100 fever. Somehow she made it home. The next day she was supposed to pick us up. I guess she didn't have a very good day because I saw the following email posted to the Old Guy. All I can say is sorry Pretty Lady. I wish you would have told us you were sick. Maybe we would have behaved. And then again, maybe it wouldn't have made any difference.
"Here's a brief summary of my day (Sunday, December 26):
Woke up at 3:00am because I was coughing
Picked up my phone to see what time it was. Phone had ants on it (hmmmm, interesting....)
Turned on my lamp, Shirley had made me her grandmother's concoction for coughing. It was covered with ants!!!!!!! (I'm sure it would have been great, Shirley! Thank you for your thoughtfulness)
Cleaned up the ants. While I was herding and squishing that army of ants, an email came in. Phil's flight for the next day was canceled due to a blizzard.
Spent the next 2 hours checking out the weather and possible flights
Slept a little until 7:00
Got up, took a shower, went downstairs to get the rental ready for Ana (the cleaning lady). I was so weak, I could barely make the 2 beds and go up and down the stairs
Came back up, took 2 Tylenol, felt better, and went to breakfast with Shirley at Koffee Kart. Ordered my favorite avocado omelet. Only nibbled on it and took most of it home
Came home and got Shirley on her way.
Since the tree was being picked up tomorrow (our live Christmas tree which had to be returned 'cause it was rented), I needed to take the lights off (Shirley took the ornaments down). Got them totally tangled, since I'd never taken the lights down. Not fun
Ana was finished so I went down to finish the rental. Pots and pans were in a total jumble so I had to take them all out and rearrange.
Started coughing like crazy
IM'ed with Tera for a while which was so much fun
Started coughing like crazy
It's now 3:00 and I need to get the cats. In desperation I took the cough syrup with codeine. Hallelujah, it made me stop coughing enough to get in the car and pick up the cats
When I got home with them I parked behind the garage. I was being so careful not to back into the Tahoe that I didn't notice that I was crooked and scrapped the back fender of Big Red on the wall....ugh
Finally got the doors open and the cats into the garage. So relieved!
More coughing and now the chills
Put cat food out but only Chow came (hmmmm, interesting)
Called, but no Pinot or Minette......
Started looking for them......no cats....looked everywhere....no cats
Went in the garage, no cats.....then with horror, I noticed one of the garage doors was open about 6 inches...just enough for two cats to fit under (I mistakenly opened the wrong door when I was unloading the cats and didn't see that it didn't close all the way.....noooooooooooo!)
Shivering and coughing, out I went to find them.
No cats anywhere... went back in to get the cat food can....still no cats...finally after 10 minutes, Minette appeared by Kevin's house. Opened the garage door and herded her in. Yay, one down and one to go.
Searched for Pinot, but finally had to give up and go inside...no Pinot anywhere.
Looked outside...no Pinot....checked from derek's room, no Pinot. Went in Tera's room and there he was by the door meowing. Phew, finally!
Coughing, shivering, and trying to get ready to lie down......the final blow......I BARFED!
Temp over 102.
Took Tylenol and down for the night
Goodnight all!"
