Welcome my friends. I’m tweaking my weekly journey with my healthier living. It’s a step in the right direction for sure. I hope you come along for the ride. Instead of day-to-day comments, I’m going to post something from my personal journal to share. Hope you enjoy. Remember all of us go down this path and we are all in it together ❤
Week of 02/25-03/03/2018 – Week 8
“Dear Journal – We’ve had stumbling blocks lately. I admit that I got a little frustrated… okay maybe a lot frustrated. Before my surgery, I was in a great mind spot in working out and exercising. Being down for three months without being able to do much, I lost my mojo. Then work has been so loving in sharing multiple colds/viruses the past month. I get over one thing and then BOOM I get the next cold. My immune system is so challenged that someone with a cold can just look at me with a stink eye and I get sick. It sucks but the challenge is real. So Monday, I start again for the gazillionth time. It’s not how many times you start… it’s that one time that you finish. So back to baby steps and one day and one meal at a time”
My sister, Tina Mote, will be running in the 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, October 7, 2018.
For this marathon, Tina decided to raise money for something that is close and dear to her heart – The Arthritis Foundation. Unfortunately myself and another close friend have rheumatoid arthritis. Tina decided to run the marathon in our honor in support of raising money for a great cause. In fact, below is a note of why she picked the Arthritis Foundation:
“Both my sister and my close friend have rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and through them I have become passionate about wanting to do something to contribute towards a cure or better ways to treat RA. In addition, I’d like to bring awareness to RA and the herculean effort people afflicted with RA have to go through on a daily basis.
I’ve seen both my sister and my friend deal with flare-ups and with medicine side effects and I’ve seen them be immune compromised. My friend, who is only in her early 30s, is currently having to fight through some really tough side effects of Rituxan (a chemo treatment for RA); she’s undergoing this treatment because other medicines have not been effective for controlling her RA. The side effects at times have been life threatening.”
The following passage is from my friend’s blog. It speaks volumes to what she has to endure.
“Had a good learning experience today, for the first time something was blamed on me because of my ‘being sick.’ I realized that when someone can use the smallest thing against you (and being sick is no small thing) then you have entered into a world where you feel like you have to be ‘Great,’ ‘Doing good’ all time because if you don’t….someone will say ‘blank didn’t happen because YOU were ‘sick’.’
I’ll say I expect better, the world needs to understand the world of those people who are chronically ill! Why should we have to live a lie? Why should we push ourselves so hard to earn an Oscar every day for our performance? Why can’t we be honest about how we feel? Why?
….because that will be the weapon someone will use against us. And so we can’t, so instead we lie, we push ourselves, we never show the tears of pain and fatigue…..instead we make ourselves smile, laugh, and act like we are normal….because if we didn’t someone will say ‘because you are sick’.
This is where we need your help. I’ve never asked for much here at the Hotel Thompson but if you have anything to give, we would so appreciate anything that you could donate towards my sisters marathon. Her goal is to raise $2,000.00 and every little penny counts. If you would like to donate, please go donate here. This should be the page link for Tina Mote for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Let her know that Bacon sent you.
Remember, every little penny counts so we appreciate anything you can donate.
Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.
Together we can do this!
Sunday, July 9, 2017 – For the most part, I’m over this summer cold. But this hacking cough still persists. At times its like I’m trying to cough up a furball. This cough has to go. I wonder if I can sweat it out? Miles Moved: 1.67
Monday, July 10, 2017 – I’m going to have to find a solution to this heat outside. It is way too hot to be walking outdoors in the heat. Diablo my treadmill has gotten some workout but I just can’t seem to get into the groove of things with my chest and this cough. Miles Moved: 1.82
Tuesday, July 11, 2017 – Moved a bit more today. I put a call into my doctor and who said that something is going around with this hacking cough. The only thing she knows to get rid of it is cough syrup with codeine. I’m picking it up after work. I really hope that works. Miles Moved: 2.57
Wednesday, July 12, 2017 – I’m feeling so much better this morning! The doctor told me to take it easy for a couple of days and to take my cough syrup. Hopefully by next week I can be back into the swing of things all the around. I hope anyway! Miles Moved: 1.78
Thursday, July 13, 2017 – Arrgh – this summer cold is killing me. At times I have absolutely no appetite and the smell of food makes me sick – yay. Then there are times that my stomach won’t stop growling. Then my voice goes and then comes back hoarse as all get out – which I think the family enjoys – LOL. I have no energy. My energy got up and left without me it seems. I’m taking it easy the rest of this week to see if I can’t shake it off. Miles Moved: 1.07
Friday, July 14, 2017 – I definitely am not filling my Apple i-Watch rings today. My chest feels heavy (more than normal – giggles) and the codeine cough syrup is making me sluggish like I’m drunk. It’s so weird. But my cough is going away. Cough or sluggo – which one should I pick, right? Miles Moved: 1.23
Saturday, July 15, 2017 – Today’s goals – get REST. And that my friends is basically what I did all day. Please make this crappy cold go away and find another home. Karma where are you? Miles Moved: 0.62
Thoughts for the week: Life is not a race. Sometimes we have to take a breath and be okay with yourself. I’m sick. I must take care of myself and get over this. If I can’t take care of myself, I can’t take care of the family. So I shall put myself first this weekend and come back strong on Monday.
Oh friends – what a great past couple of days. There is so much to catch up with – snorts. You see, mom has been off from the worky place since Friday, June 30th. Isn’t that awesome?! Since mom has been going full steam with the exercise and it was her birthday this holiday, she put up her Apple i-Watch and let her hair down so to speak. She told dad that she claimed the Hotel Thompson to be a “No Exercise/Diet” palace until she went back to work today. Now don’t worry. She didn’t go to crazy, just the opposite in fact.
Mom went out with Nana on Saturday and we think she got overheated. She came home in the afternoon feeling icky with germs of a summer cold. She just couldn’t get cold enough. In fact, at one time I thought she was going to climb in the freezer. That would have been fun. Of course, I would have taken pictures for sure.
She felt better Sunday and her/dad went shopping to all of her key places. And for her birthday, she picked up this outfit to the right. So her, right?! I mean who could have picked a better outfit? Of course dad is still shaking his head in disbelief that mom bought jeans with holes *already* in them. Hilarious that mom of mine for sure. And I did mention birthday.
Mom’s birthday was 7/3 – she turned 39 again. Her/dad celebrated on the fourth with all of the fireworks and dad something about still making their own fireworks after 29 years… silly daddy huh? Oh and mom wants to thank everyone for their well wishes on Facebook, their calls and their cards. All of them really touched her ❤ We love all of you very much!!
I made sure mom got plenty of rest, love and shopping in her days off – and no exercise. It was hard to push her out of bed this morning to go back to work. I tell you. A pig’s job is never done – snorts and rolls with piggy laughter.
Welcome my friends to SPOTLIGHT THURSDAY. This is the time that I will introduce you to one of my fellow anipals so you can get to know them better. Some of them, you may already know. We hope that you enjoy this series!
What were your first thoughts when you met your new parents? I was really scared and really sick, but the humans did not know that yet. I just wanted to hide. I had been on my own for 9 months already and all this commotion made me afraid. Then these humans took me from my cage into a box into a room where they made me feel better and they hugged me and loved me. I thought that this could be OK but I still was not sure about those humans.
What was the defining moment when you knew you were in your forever home? My new Mom held me for weeks and gave me medicine and held me more. Slowly, I realized that she was never going to let me go anywhere else and she was always going to take care of me and that this was my place forever. Mom is the only person that I let pick me up and turn me upside down like she did when I was first here at the Zoo and very sick. She protects me from the other animals in the house (especially that mean Stella cat) and makes sure I have safe places to call my own. If that is not home, what is?
What has been your biggest “Oh no, now I’ve done it” moment so far in your home? Mom says that I am not the sharpest tack in the pack (whatever that means). Because I have feline herpes and not socialized until almost a year old, she thinks that it provided me with special powers, unlike other cats. For example, I don’t like cat litter so I don’t use the same toilet as the other cats. It took awhile for me to teach Mom that I will use weewee pads in my preferred spots and though I still overshoot them from time to time, I don’t think that’s bad, is it? Truly, I don’t think about much. Mom doesn’t get mad at me ever because she knows that I am special. I live primarily in the living/dining room and kitchen (where the yummy stuff is) and mostly Mom has made it safe so that my big fluffiness can’t get hurt, or break too many things. I don’t really understand the “oh no, now I’ve done it” thing because everything I do is purrfect, for a cat like me. It is all the other cats that get in trouble or try to get me into some, but I am special, and I know to run and hide when they do stupid stuff like knock over plants or face off with the little dog. Not me!
Who do you have wrapped around your paws more – mom or dad – and why? My Mom is the most important human in the house, as she says it should be. Everyone that lives here says that I am the most beautiful, sweet, giant white cat, they know and they all brush me (because I shed white stuff all year round) and pet me. I prefer Mom to all others but if one of my human family is sitting quietly on MY couch, I will talk to them and ask them for a brushing or a treat. Then usually I run away until Mom comes. I do like the big black dog, she is quiet too. I do my best to stay away from the pesky youngsters. Nine and Mini, who try to unthrone me from the top of the cat tree, or the blonde dog who chases me down the hall. The new little dog is smaller than I am, so I kind of think he is ok, but I am not sure yet.
What’s the biggest misconception that humans think about you? People thank that I am aloof because I am scared. If they would just be quiet I will come to them (maybe). I have a special sense that tells me when it is ok to come out of my hiding spots. I am a keen judge of character and Mom uses me as a barometer to see if the kid’s friends are worthy of being on my couch. I am a simple cat, with simple desires, if people would just be patient.
Hope you enjoyed meeting my friend – check back next week for another Spotlight edition!
Hello dear friends – welcome to the end of another week here at the Hotel Thompson. There’s been a lot going on here at the crib. Let’s see… first off mom was feeling a little down over last weekend until the beginning of this week. Personally we all think she was doing too much – that’s why we haven’t visited a lot of blogs this week. But she has been a bit better in the past couple of days – that’s great!
And her and dad both have been doing really, REALLY good on their new way of eating. I’m highly impressed with their dedication this week. Hopefully they will continue… let me rephrase that. This weekend I will be on them like a shadow to make sure they continue. What? Someone has to inspire them, right?
And this is a picture of me playing with one of my all time favorite toys – you do remember Pirate Chicken #3, right? Barks – daddy tells me I’m choking my chicken every time I make it squeak. I’m not sure what’s so funny about that but when he says it, he and mom bust out laughing. Shaking my puppy head – I don’t get it.
But never fear, I leave you today with Jokes with Dad. Hope you enjoy and have a fantastic weekend!
We here at the Hotel Thompson have some very sad news to share today my friends. It is with such sorrow that we share the news that Mouse Girl (affectionately know here as OMG – oh Mouse Girl) passed away yesterday on Mother’s Day and is now over the Rainbow Bridge.
Mouse Girl was 10 years old and she picked us to live with 8 years ago at a local shelter. She brought so much happiness and laughter to our house. Mouse Girl was a Maine Coon kitty, was very shy to peeps she didn’t know and will so greatly be missed.
Her passing was sudden, she had not been showing any signs of being sick at all. But things change so quickly and suddenly she is gone. Bare with us our friends as we grieve here at the Hotel Thompson. We will be posting replies and back to visiting blogs soon. ♥ We appreciate all of the emails, messages, posts and phone calls. Friends like you ROCK!
Yep, me and mom have been at it again. I thought I was dying. Really I did. I heard about this mysterious disease on the television on the afternoon news. I can’t get sick. Who would take care of mommy then? So, I did what I do best. I sent her a text. My texts are in grey and mom’s are in blue. You’ll see. I thought this was the end.
Welcome my friends to our weekly issue of Journey with Friends. This is a time that we come together for support, for encouragement, for fellowship – all with one single goal in mind – to live better. Welcome to our journey to share our goals and our accomplishments and our disappointments and frustrations.
Together we can do this!
Hey friends – how did you do last week? Did you stand strong? Any bumps in the road? Any mountains you climbed?
Since I’ve been sick with the flu, I’ve lost a little over 10 pounds. Okay, it’s not the best way to lose weight but I’ll take it, right? I am doing better with the flu; however, I’m still not 100% yet. The doctor assures me this is normal and it takes weeks – sometimes months – to get back to where you were. Shaking my head – this is something I never want to go through again and don’t wish it upon any one. Everything tastes ‘funny’ and certain foods I’ve loved before, I can’t stand at the moment. For instance, I’ve been having a hard time with soda – you know the real stuff. Especially being here in Atlanta, we live for Coca Cola. Well I’m happy to report that since my illness, I can’t stand it. I guess that’s a good way to kick it to the side huh? And food wise, I can eat just a little bit – maybe 15% of what I was eating before and I’m done. My tummy just swells too much from still being sick. But on the other hand where I once craved everything, lately I’m just craving good old southern food – greens, mac & cheese, fried chicken – you know southern dinner stuff. We went out yesterday to a local restaurant that serves this kind of food. I couldn’t even finish my plate. Weird.
And you want to hear another strange thing that has happened since I’ve been sick? A remarkable overwhelming calmness has overtaken my body. Things are just shrugged off my shoulders and my pulse rate has been ‘below normal’… well below normal for me. When I was giving plasma, it was a struggle for my pulse rate to be 100-112 bpm. Here lately, it’s been hanging around 94-99 bpm which is totally awesome. Weird too huh?
Well friends – hope your week was marvelous and your scales were kind to you. ❤
Mommy doesn’t have a temperature anymore and today she has emerged from the depths of her sick bed and went to the worky place. It was slow going but I think she may live after this bout of the flu. She says that it was the *worse* that she has ever felt and never ever wants to experience this again – EVER.
Mom is still recuperating and can’t do too much at one time. Just walking down the hall takes her breath away – can you believe that? All of this from the stupid flu. And now, daddy is walking around the house like a zombie – I think he might be coming down with it. Oh Lordy, us anipals here may need to move out of the Hotel Thompson for a while.
Thanks everyone for your well wishes, cards and calls. I’ll be around checking on blogs soon – I kind of got my hooves full with daddy right now. ❤ ya’ll!
Miniature pot bellied pig and friends - Bacon, Houdini, Hemi and all of the Rock Clan with Journalist Rocky the Squirrel all out looking for adventures from the Hotel Thompson.
Piglove 
