Michele

O.K., you guys rock. So I went out today to actually get some errands done after making this post. I come home to a bunch of pms, and so many good people posting to this thread. I'm feeling the luv now! 'Course, that may also be because I took some of the codeine my Dr. rx'd, but still...I'm feeling the luv. Thanks. You all rock. And Jeannie, I felt that hug all the way down here! And Slappie, you tackled me! Made me laugh, you did. And JT, I promise, I'll pm you when I'm feeling all alone...which will probably be tomorrow...after extra lab time.

So, o.k., I've been uber busy with school. And o.k., so I haven't done a jump in a while (coming 2 years...). And o.k., so some of you think I've fallen off the planet. But still. My birthday was yesterday. Not even a birthday wish in my PM box...me's not feelin' the luv... Now I'm old(er) and depressed. Sigh. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Recover. Two exams tomorrow that I've been busting ass for (9-11:30 am for Physio, and then 5:30-7:15 for Microbio). And then, next week, starts the finals push; between May 9th and June 7, I have 6 exams (5 finals), two essays, and one research paper due. So this is the last weekend I can do anything for myself (i.e. stare at my toes, have a drink or 3, get out of the house, whatever...) until school finishes June 7. So I am doing absolutely NOTHING. And I hope I wake up by Monday, too. LOL... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Glad to hear the great news, Dumpster. Keep us updated, mkay? (And I told ya God said things would come right....). Hugs and prayers to you both. Ciels- michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

And that's o.k, too. Cry when you need to, laugh when you're not crying, but know that you brought peace and joy to someone in need of it. We should all take advantage of the opportunity to give when it arises. Yes, it's hard. Yes, it's challenging. But it's worth far more to you in the long run than whatever else is there. Giving your heart - even if it's cleaning - is a blessing. Thank you for giving to him all that you have; your heart, your laughter, your smiles. He knows what you've done for him; and God appreciates it. Thank you. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Me too. And I've done it in less than two weeks...LOL. Try this. You and your buddy decide who's going to be the trust getter. Don't feed her for a day (really hard to do, but this is how it works). Then get a paper (NOT plastic) plate and fill it full of squished sardines (stinks. That's why it works). Put the plate on a stinky shirt of whomever is going to be the trust getter (and I mean stinky...) and put this about 1 arms length away from you. Turn your back on the plate. Read something out loud but very softly. DON'T LOOK AT THE PLATE! Stay there for about 20 minutes. Just relaxed, sitting there in the sun, NOT LOOKING at the plate. NOT REACHING FOR THE CAT. Just sit there. Leave the plate on the stinky shirt. Leave it there, over night if need be, until the food is gone. The next day, repeat the whole thing. Once she eats with you there (AND YOUR BACK IS TO HER!), start bringing the plate closer. DON'T REACH FOR HER! Eventually the plate should be near to your arm. She will have learned to associate your smell with that of "food" (stinky sardines), and food is good; thus you are good. When it's time to touch her, gently, with palm up (opposite of the dog touch), extend your hand towards her. If possible, scratch between her ears, gently in circles. If possible, scratch her chin. When she scrunches up her face (on either of these), she's enjoying your touch. And then, leave it there for that day. The next day, again, food on the shirt on the plate. And let her come to you. Scratch her while she's eating if she'll let you. Again this associates you with food, good feelings, and generally "safety." You should eventually be able to pick her up. When you can, and do it GENTLY!!!, wear long sleeves. Put her into a dark, closed container, and let her wig out for a bit. She'll eventually calm down. Take her to the vet's and get her spayed immediately (and wormed, nails clipped, and deflea'd). When she comes out, love on her and cuddle her a lot!!!. You will be "safe" and you'll "feel good" to her, especially if you are giving her meds to deal with the pain (if you need help, lemme know...). Once she's home, put her, and the carrier, and YOU into the bathroom. Open the carrier, let her out (lift her, if possible), and let her find a spot to hide in. Scratch on her a bit, and reassure her (again, soft voice) a lot. Once she settles down leave the room, leaving (yes, again) a stinky shirt. SHUT THE DOOR behind you. And make sure you shut the potty lid. OVer the next few hours, leave her be. As long as you don't hear panic (i.e. something is really, really wrong...), leave her be. When you come in after a bit, stand at the door (while it's closed) and talk to her. After a few moments of this, she will have adjusted to your voice, and you can go in. Spend some time with her, loving on her, and just being with her. If she doesn't want you to touch her, that's all right. Just talk out loud, and have your body position at 90 degrees from her. She should stay in there a few days, if possible. By then, she will have adjusted to being inside, hearing/seeing/smelling you, having food brought to her (by you), and will associate you with good stuff. Carry her around the house, give her the tour, and then put her back into the bathroom. Do this a few times over the next three-four hours, and she'll accustom herself to the layout of the house. Then let her out. SHE WILL HIDE. She might hide for days. But she will eventually stop hiding and come out. And then the real fun - the gentling of her - will begin. I'll give you help however you need it; she deserves a home, love, and care from someone who will provide her lots and lots of love and safety. BTW, the other way, what I call the emergency way, is to buy a humane raccoon trap. Don't feed for a few days, and then set the trap out. She will be so hungry that she will enter the trap, trigger the trap, and then she'll be enclosed. Immediately drop a blanket over the trap, so she's in the dark. Proceed as above. Shari, if there's anything I know, I know that "feral" cats can be brought round. They become lovers like you wouldn't believe...and often, bringing them into a house with other cats is better than a house with just humans. They have "role models" as it were...and will get into the program much more quickly. Let me know how I can help. If you were near, I'd give you the trap I've used in emergencies...but you should be able to find one at Petco or something like that. Good luck, you can do this, and I'll give you all the support and encouragement I possibly can. Ciels Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes she will, but you have to earn it. If you want her to come in with you, you'll have some hard work (mostly patience) and some harder work (getting her to trust you and see you as "safe"). If you really want to, I'll be more than happy to help...there are ways and ways and ways to earn their trust, and then they'll let you save their life too. Especially if she's not spayed and is having kittens; you'll be saving lots of lives that way. Let me know, and I'll help however I can. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Meezers tend to grow tall first, and then out. Most cats do this...she's less than a year, right? Spayed? So if it's getting kinda bad (you can't feel ribs when you press on her side), maybe get a vet to give her a look at. Most of the time, the weight will stabilize about 1 -1.5 years old. I wouldn't worry about it too terribly much unless it becomes significant. I have a rescue I'm desperately trying to get some weight on. She's having a hard time...belly full of worms and no appetite...so it's a bit of a battle. She'll come round eventually, and get her weight up to a good size (she's a big cat, but weighs about 7 pounds...bones easily palpable, and protruding hips and joints. Poor girl. She should be about 10-12 pounds). Don't worry about it too much right now. Are you free feeding? If so, how much per day? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, yeah, there is that. LOL. Cora said it well - we have buggies and germs all over our bodies. Maybe the cats should be concerned about us. LOL. Toxoplasmosis is indeed an issue, but generally affects only pregnant women. Staphylococcus is something we can handle on a regular basis (it lives on our own skin...). If a bite occurs take care of the issue, and you won't have an issue, other than why your cat bit you in the first place. That should be looked into, and addressed; not by throwing them away, but understanding why, and either eliminating the problem and/or not repeating the behavior that caused the bite in the first place. With any animal, biting is an indication of an unmet need and/or pain. Just what that need is will be left up to the owner to identify, and handle. If there's pain, the animal needs to be seen ASAP...and not by a vet who doesn't like that particular species. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Good grief, they're not rattlesnakes! Those vets were weenies and poorly educated. It's hard to clean any animal bite; and I'd rather be bitten by a cat than a feral squirrel. Some people (not you, nomiss) need to learn what the hell they're doing before they hang a shingle. I've seen people put down problem animals (of all types) rather than educate the owners as to the issues and how to correct them. If cat bites were so dangerous, I should be dead. I've had more trouble being bitten by dogs than by cats...I get "groomed" by my cats on a regular basis (daily, and at times hourly...they're all very bonded with me, apparently). If their saliva was so poisonous, I should be dead or at least really sick. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I've been bit and bit badly by the cat who currently is sitting right next to me. Had to get the infection pocket drained, went on Cipro, et cetera. However, that being said....Why is your cat biting you? Is it a biter or you just got your body in the way of a pissed off cat (like I did)? Cats are no more or less dirty than a dog. Same general microbe count, same grooming habits, same general susceptability. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Honda S-2000. Convertible, 6 speed, lovin' it. 'Nuf said. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Laundry room, tiled floor. I'd erect some sort of "privacy screen" too. Cats, like people, need privacy to potty. Use a combination of clay, crystal, and baking soda (put in first). Scoop daily, if needed (I can get away with two days [2 big boxes, lots of cats], but that's about it...), and make sure that you put something under the boxes, ie the carpet remnant suggested or, better yet, one of those plastic door mats. The plastic is better - outside, hose it down, air dry, and it's back in use. Bear in mind that microbes that are in kitty litter don't travel too far; they're generally "oral fecal" route, so as long as you don't snack on kitty logs, and wear gloves when changing the litter, you should be good to go. If there's anything else I can help you with, lemme know. I'm always happy to help with felines. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Yes, Michael indeed does rock. He's an amazing man, and he has a wonderful family. You're top notch. Michael, I miss you 'round here. Hugs, Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Why is it, broken, that you always post incredibly derogatory things against faith? You have a chip on your shoulder regarding God, and it shows. It does nothing to lessen the faith of those who have it; the questions you ask are not the questions they are asking. Rather, they are the questions already asked, and generally understood (i.e. Steve O). And it does nothing to make those without faith even less faithful; as they already are not, how can one make it less? Anyone who understands the simple concept (and yes, it's simple and elegant) of free will understands what happened at VT. A horrible, tragic, and ferociously shitty thing...but one man, acting with free will, did what he did. It wasn't God doing it. It wasn't up to God to prevent it. It's up to us to run our lives as we see fit, accepting all consequences and all lessons learned along the way. It's about free will - which, if you consider it, is what this country was built on, too. So railing against it does nothing for you, to further your particular cause, and simply demonstrates (yet again) a chip the size of a redwood sitting on your shoulder. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

What an interesting "hijack." I'm not talking about material things; or at least, not deep down. I'm talking about what would make me happy, and create the contentedness I don't yet have. It's not about material things, although it takes that shape. Rather, it's about the feelings...the needs that will be fulfilled. It's not about more money, or bigger houses, or status symbols. It's about providing for myself, and working towards a good, honorable goal; and not about how much house I can buy, et cetera. Interesting interpretation. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I wonder why, too. Not that you're not doing it is wrong or anything; I'm just curious as to why. I didn't for years; honestly, for me, it was more of a "why bother, it'll never happen". Just recently I've decided to make it happen...work for it, terraform my life to create my future and what I want in it. That led to going back to school; which, in turn, led to reminding myself why I'm doing this; which led to dreaming, and that dreaming in turn reminds me what I'm fighting for, and so I keep walking on. The change has been great. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Linz! Well done! It's been a long, hard road, but you're there. Very, very well done. And lots of hugs to Punky, too. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Hrm, I'll have to go look up that idea. I've never heard of it before. You know, it's so detailed I can see my farm in the different seasons; I can smell the rain there, I can smell the grass. It's pretty clear; and while sometimes I think it's a stupid thing to do, it does help me both relax and focus. That way, I can get where I want to go, and then be able to start actualizing it. Why, thank you! I've had a few people say that I'm "mystical" and/or "mysterious" and I've always taken that as a compliment; and so I thank you for yours. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Well, it hasn't yet, has it? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Shaving it for her (after all, you can see it!!!) can be an intensely erotic experience (as long as you don't nick her)... Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Do you dream? Do you imagine life in 5 years? 10? I'm not talking about a retirement plan. That's not dreaming, that's being practical. I'm not talking about 'finishing that degree' or 'getting a better job'. Rather, I'm talking about those dreams you hold dear, that get you through hard times...dreams of the future, of what life will be like...someday... I do. And lately, I've been dreaming a lot; it's hard right now, especially school...and I've been trying to dream, to plan, to scheme...so that the difficulties have a finish; when I get through these classes, I can go to the next level; when the next level is done, I can start acting on those dreams. It helps me...and it keeps me semi-focused on the "small steps" I have to take, even though it's like walking on hot sharp glass at times. Someday, I'm going to own acres, and build a perfect barn, and have 4 horses; one for me, one each for my nieces (2). The last horse will be a rescue, and I'll be able to give it a home that's safe and warm and free from worry, even if it's just a lawn ornament. I'll learn how to train horses, to gentle them, and then I'll breed the mares to exceptional stallions, and raise a herd of horses for shows. I will own friesians, and then get a clydesdale to work on the acreage and for carriage rides. And the whole farm will be off-grid, with both solar and wind power, and some rain-harvesting for agriculture watering. And then, see, after I plan out the barn and acres, sketch it out in all it's dimensions, figure out which mare to breed to which stallion (neither of them are yet in existence...) I can go back to hyperpolarization of cells, action potentials, platyhelmithes and related diseases, and superbug virus' acquisition of immunity. It's weird, how that works. I go back to when I was 7 and think, when I grow up, I'll have...and then, after the flight of fancy and day dreaming, I can focus again on the immediate steps I have to take to get there. Do you do that? Or am I just as strange as everyone says I am? Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

Protein drink. Good for me and good tasting. Made with fresh strawberries and bananas, too! Ciels- Michele Edited to add: also, one tylenol three for pain. It hurts! ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

I talked to God about this whole thing. What a mess! He said He's got everyone in His hands, though, and that all will turn out for the best. The teenagers, He said, will learn from this, and Mom's Guardian Angel is sitting with her in the hospital, giving God updates on the ethereal blackberry. God said He'd step in if needed, but that the Drs and the Guardian Angels are doing well right now. Hugs, Lenny. God said "Hi" to you, too. Says to stop worrying, He's got it covered. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~

My prayers are with everyone else's...speedy recovery and full health! Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~