April 18, 2026 – My second full day of my reading retreat was a great one! It was while I was sitting on the porch reading this book that I saw a bird chase a garden snake in the backyard! Needless to say, I was not leaving the safety of the screen room after that.
April 19, 2026 – Whenever I come home after being away, the cats are so clingy and snuggly with me! There’s not an aloof bone in their bodies when it comes to me. They love me almost as much as I love them.
April 20, 2026 – I bought this basket so I could have a place for blankets, knowing full well that at least one cat would consider it a prime napping spot. Lila loves this basket so much, I told her I was going to start calling her Moses.
April 21, 2026 – My Keurig broke the day before my trip! The audacity! I immediately bought a new one, and it arrived just in time. My inaugural cup of coffee from my new machine was delicious!
April 22, 2026 – In this photo, I can immediately spot my gray hairs and my puffy face from being on steroids for three months. But also, it’s my face! And it’s a good face.
April 23, 2026 – Getting bloodwork is just part of my regular routine these days. It was time for follow-up bloodwork to check on my inflammation markers, and the phlebotomist had a rough time with me. He tried twice, in both arms, and finally called in his boss, who is a wizard at finding my veins. (She’s done my blood draw every time I’ve been in this year!)
April 24, 2026 – My birthday girl! She did not want to be held for this photo, but submitted herself to the process.
Are you a tough poke when it comes to bloodwork, like me?
That basket is the most insta perfect cat bed! Yes I always notice the things I don’t like first in photos of me, but that pic of you is lovely.
I knew the moment I bought that basket and put some blankets in it, a cat was going to comandeer it. The cutest thing!
It IS a good face xoxoxo
I have BULGING veins in my right arm, and they are perfect for taking blood. My left arm is just normal but my right arm? Veiny Mc Veinerson. I do not know why or how but I’m grateful I’ve never had to have a phlebotomist poke around trying to find a vein.
Bulging veins is a great thing to have! I hate how anxious I get about getting bloodwork – not because of the poke or because of the results, but because I have to worry about being a “problem child” with my hidden veins, gah.
I am luckily an easy poke. I have 3 good veins in each of my arms. I am so lucky to have good veins since I have had so many blood draws and I get an IV infusion every 4 weeks.
That basket was MADE for sweet Lila! She’s so cute!!
Ha, now I want to get a basket just for the cats.
Like Nicole, I have bulging veins. I don’t like being poked with a needle, and it would be even more stressful if I were worried about them finding a vein!