Things have finally returned to normal in The Belfry.  I am enjoying my third cup of coffee, and last night - for the first time since Saturday - I was hungry enough to prepare (and eat) a meal.  It was 73 in here when I got up this morning - heavenly!  77 now, as the a/c struggles valiantly against the last day of the heat wave.  It's hard to believe that at this time yesterday, it was 30 degrees warmer in here!

The very best part is...I have my buddy back!  Bubba is now eating and drinking normally and assertively planting himself between me and my keyboard on a regular basis.  When the caseworker saw him yesterday, she agreed that he likely wouldn't have made it another day....and I might not have, either.  My face looked sunburned even though I hadn't been outside.  I knew Bubba was in bad shape but didn't realize how truly dire the situation was until it was rectified.

I am so grateful to my guardian angels for pulling off this miracle!

After the last 4 days, when I wasn't sure if Bubba would make it (and I was actually getting bad myself)....we have AIR!  My caseworker arranged a ride for me to go and buy one - and sent two men over to put it in for me.  
The temp was over 105 in here when they turned it on.  It's 94 now...and dropping.  I can BREATHE!!!  And the shelter sent over 4 huge bottles of Gatorade.  

I am so-o-o grateful!!

It is insanely hot.  I have two big fans...and right now all they are doing is blowing hot air, like an oven.  I don't mean to sound whiny....and I'm sorry to keep going on about this.  But cold showers are still helping - as long as I stay in them.  I would call the shelter where I used to stay and ask them to come and get me...but I can't leave Bubba.  He is even worse off than I am and he needs me.  To answer Sat's question, he doesn't go outside.  He's a little quirky and it terrifies him.

Only two more days and this heat wave is supposed to break.  Just gotta hang on.

I've been wetting Bubba down almost every waking hour since Saturday, as a preventative measure, and he seemed to be doing so well.  Tonight, we came to me crying and panting again.  I put him in the sink (a last resort since it upsets him so badly) and he tore a shred from my arm and gashed my hand - but at least he stopped panting.  It made him furious, though, and for the first time EVER, he is hiding from me and won't come when I call.

Tomorrow....we have a heat advisory.  Temps could go up over 100....

Bubba is doing so much better tonight!  It was 84 in here this morning and even though it never got above 80 outside (and I had windows open), it got up to 90 inside.  First thing this morning, I wetted him down with a cool washrag again - he seemed to welcome it, although he complained loudly afterward and strutted off to sulk.  Did this several times during the day, as a preventative measure, dripping water into the corners of his mouth as well.

Finally, this afternoon, he ate for the first time in 24 hours.  And about an hour ago, he drank water on his own.  Just now, he was in my lap and purring.  I think I've got my buddy back!

Most of the long-time bloggers already know this, but I lost my Dad on Fathers Day, 18 years ago.  I have a semi-weird story to share today, so I hope you'll bear with me.

When the bats came, I sort of...talked to my Dad, telling him I was afraid.  Every time I did this, my bedroom door would slowly close.  It never happened at any other time - and I do not ever close it myself.  I learned to take comfort from it, smile and say Thank you, Dad.  A few times since then, when I have been scared or in too much pain...the door closes again.  I look at it as sort of a hug.

This morning, on Fathers Day, when I woke up, my bedroom door was closed.  Happy Fathers Day, Dad!  I love you.


 

It is 92 in my apartment today.  It is 86 outside.  I have spent a large portion of the day wetting Bubba down with cool cloths and trying to get him to drink water.  He was panting so hard!  I put him in the sink with water up to his tummy (and nearly lost a few fingers in the attempt) and that seemed to help a bit.  At least he is licking the water off of himself.  Please think good thoughts for him...?

My old beloved computer has been showing every sign of needing a black drape and a bugle player - it was even re-routing me off of my own bionic forum every 30 seconds or so and onto an ad page.  Total technological meltdown!  It was heartbreaking.  But yesterday, my daughter took me shopping and helped me find a computer that met or exceeded everything I was looking for - at a very reasonable price.  She did all the set up for me, too.  Now, the computer is running scans and I am still happily surfing away....and it isn't freezing.  Old computer is looking very sad over in the corner, but it served me well for many years.  135 stories were written with its help. 

Bubba is not impressed...but he does like the box.

There have been no further intruders, but I am still not really sleeping.  Although the landlord caulked up their entry point into my apartment, he has not worked on the roof yet...and they can still get into my crawl space.  I hear them in there almost every night, which makes it very hard to put the whole ugly mess behind me.  I am truly trying, though. 

I am still writing my stories when I can, and have written nine of them in the month and a half since getting back online.  Decided to write my own version of how I thought Season One of BW should've gone - and am now working on my season finale.  They're completely different than how the actual show went, which has been a lot of fun.

I try to take walks when my body allows it, but that seems to be more difficult recently.  I used to be able to lie down when I felt soreness or pain - and it would help.  Now, when I get up, I just hurt in new places from whatever position I was lying in.  My arms and back have joined my legs in declaring war on me, but I still try to get out and walk so the muscles don't atrophy.  The fresh air and the scent from the nearby chocolate plant are lovely.

Bubba is doing well - as spoiled as he can be.  His new hobby is to sit below the drawer where he knows the kitty treats are kept, looking up at me like he's just going to starve to death if he doesn't have them - Right.  Now. 

Have a great day/night, everyone!

The landlord and his helper were here today.  First they inspected the crawl space and the attic - no bats found.  Then they caulked up all the little holes in the drywall in my bedroom.  Woohoo! 
*Beth does modified happy dance in her chair!*

After the landlord experiences I had at the mildew-apartment, my landlord here is a welcome breath of fresh air!  He called me on Friday, the morning after the bat came, to make sure I was okay and he was just here, looking at where I'm pretty sure the bat came in.  He promised that after the exterminator is done, he and his crew will patch up the holes in the drywall so I will be safe. 

A landlord who actually cares - a new concept for me, but I like it a lot!

As seen on my walk today:
Lots and lots of lilacs....flower gardens in full bloom....and a bright red cardinal!  I am still new to owning a camera - and didn't think to take it with me.  I must remember it, next time!