Toddler-Lite AKA Adventures in Kitten-Hood

I have decided having a kitten is like toddler-lite. I have said things in the last few months that as the mother of a 19 year old I would never say again.

Things like, “No you cannot chew on the charger.” Or “Stop chewing on the charger. It’s plugged in and you are going to get electrocuted.” Or “No, you can’t sleep on the kitchen counter.” Yes, I have actually had to “child proof” the myriad of chargers in this house. I’m just glad we didn’t have all of these chargers when I actually did have a toddler in the house. As it was, the human-child toddler managed to cut the cord to my sewing machine in half while I was less than 6 feet away from him looking at the hem I had just sewn.

I have also discovered that kittens are thieves. At least this one is. If it is shiny, it is fair game. Paper clips, necklaces, and don’t even get me started on twist ties. Twist tie makes must infuse the plastic with some sort of pheromone because if I open something with a twist tie anywhere in the package Pippa has stolen the thing before I have even realized it is there.

Don’t even expect to work on a project with small parts or needing a large workspace. Small parts? See above, they are gone. Need a large workspace? Well, she needs a nap, right now and right there! How can such a tiny thing take up so much room?

Oh, they are also sneaky, and they can move like the wind. I have opened closet or bedroom doors quickly slipped through and closed the door thinking I have thwarted her efforts to get in only to hear a forlorn mewing a few minutes later because she was trapped. What is she? Invisible? I didn’t even see her going in!

Also, like toddlers, she seems to think my food is her food. Why? She has food. Her very own food, with her very own dish, but that’s not good enough. She wants mine…Always. Did you know that cats like oatmeal? Me neither.

Of course, after she drives you completely crazy she comes up and curls her little self behind your crooked knees and makes herself a little nest and goes to sleep. They are so cute when they are sleeping.

Okay, I Admit It. I Was Wrong

As most of America knows, several years ago Swiffer put out a dusting product. Most everyone knows this because they put out some pretty cute commercials that were played on every television show known to man.

I had tried the Swiffer sweepers, and I wasn’t all that impressed. I preferred my microfiber mop, and still do. For dusting I use an old fashioned felt like dust rag. I have also used microfiber, but it seemed to push the dust around more than anything. I just didn’t see the use of a product that just creates more waste, and ends up costing me money to replace instead of just washing.

Then I moved into this house of windows-- lots and lots of windows covered by lots and lots of blinds. Dusting with a cloth just took up too much time, the feather duster didn’t work well, and the microfiber over the finger-like extensions designed to go between the blinds just plain took too long. By the time I was finished with one set of blinds I was DONE!

As I was walking through the aisles of the grocery store, I spied the Swiffer dusters. The same dusters I have been scoffing at since they came out. Now, however, I was desperate. I can’t stand seeing the dust on the blinds, and I can’t stand dusting them, so I decided to give them a shot.

The next night I tried them. I have to admit, my expectations were low, very low. Well, let me tell you…these things are AWESOME! I was able to dust all of my blinds in my living room and dining room, 8 sets, as well as, all of the furniture with one Swiffer thingie (<

Fibro and Fitness Friday

The purpose of these posts is to document my journey with Fibromyalgia. I hope to see improvement over time that might go unnoticed in day to day living.

OK, so I managed to get my rear in gear and get to the gym every day this week, and by every day I mean Monday-Friday because we all know that Saturday and Sunday are bonus days. I hope to get myself to the gym at least on Saturday for a light workout. Frankly, my workouts this week have been lacking. I put in the time, but I just didn’t feel good about them. Part of that could be because I am going through a bit of a flare right now.

This week I am still struggling with my foot hurting which causes me to have to concentrate more on how to position foot not only so my foot makes it through my workout, but so that I don’t end up hurting my knees by walking funny.

The Fibro thing that is all up in my face this week is fatigue. I feel like I could sleep 20 hours a day. I don’t, but I think I could. I have stopped using 5 hour energy drinks to make it through my workouts, but I think maybe I could keep them on hand for weeks like this. I just wish they didn’t have Splenda in them. I really, really don’t like Splenda. It has a terrible taste to it. For all of you who can’t taste it—I don’t like you anymore. ;P

Fitness—like I said I managed to get to the gym, but I didn’t do my stairs. I did get Week 4 of couch to 5K done. It was rough. I don’t know whose brilliant idea it was to try to increase my speed on the elliptical by completing this program, but I’m sure it wasn’t mine. At least it wasn’t sane me. It might have been crazy me.

So, Couch to 5K on the elliptical MWF, regular elliptical on TTH, and 45-85 minutes on the treadmill Tuesday-Friday, and the recumbent bike for 65 minutes on Monday. My goal for next week is to continue with Couch to 5K, and to mix it up a bit more with the bike and treadmill. I also want to get back into my stairs and rebounder at home.

As far as Fibro goes I want to research ways to combat the fatigue. Honestly, the fatigue kicks my butt every time!