Mom says I complain when I ask her to open the shades early in the morning. I just want to be able to see outside even before it is daylight. She may not be able to see well without a light, but I can. Okay, maybe not well because I do have vision issues, but I can still see things in the dark. That is what cats do, and as you know I am a cat. She is also wrong about the complaining, because I rarely say anything about the shades. I just reach up to put my claws into the thermal drapes she puts over the shades. I, personally, think the drapes look good with the pattern of tiny holes. I do the same thing in the van. She is the one who does the complaining after I do that.

Mom also complains about how much time she spends helping me write this blog. I like to sit on her keyboard every morning so we can discuss my ideas. It is her job to turn my ideas into the words she types. She says she would really like to work on her book. I question if anyone wants to read about a college girl who goes missing on Spring Break. Even worse is that group of old ladies she has as detectives. If she wanted a good book, she would write about cat adventures. She uses a headset to talk to her computer when she adds things to her work in progress rather than typing. She complains when I like to rub against her mic. I also like to sit where I can watch the letters appear on the screen as she talks. She complains that I am blocking her view.

So I ask you, which one of us is the complainer? Here is a picture of how much better the drapes look after I have done my best work! Please notice the almost lacy look I create.

Mom and I had a long discussion before we got out of bed this morning. She explained that on Friday she was going to the hospital to have surgery. She said it was to have her gallbladder removed. Unlike when I had that tumor removed from my throat, this is not an emergency. She explained that she could make a plan for it. Her fear is that if she waited, it could become an emergency in some place like Wyoming. She said she would rather be where friends could drive her, take care of us, and help Dad if he needs it. That makes sense although the friend who might take care of us, is the cat lady neighbor. I’m fine if she comes in to visit as long as Mom and Dad are home. I won’t let her in the door when they are not here. She may have a key, but this is my house.

Mom did add information that I did not like (besides the cat lady.) She said that I could sleep curled up beside her Friday night, but that I could not walk across her stomach to wake her up on Saturday morning. That is totally unacceptable! Those morning whispers and kisses are for our special time as we start the day. How will she know that I love her, if I can’t kiss her? She also said that she will not be able to bend over to pick me up for a day or two. I remember how awful I felt for a few days after I had that surgery. My throat was sore for a week. I’m not sure what a gallbladder is, but I don’t think it will make her throat sore. I guess I can make myself available from one of the tables or the back of the couch. As long as I get to cuddle with her, we can make this work.

It has been two days since Mom went to the hospital. I’ll admit that when her friend Brenda came to pick her up Friday morning, I was nervous. Dad, Missy, Sophia and I weren’t sure when she would be back home. She said she thought she would be home before dinner time. That seemed like a really long day. Dad had to take Missy out for her midday walk. Sophia and I didn’t get to go out at all. We took pity on Dad, and didn’t even try to sneak out when he opened the door. He had enough to worry about.

I was shocked when Mom walked back through the door at 2:30 in the afternoon! She didn’t walk very fast, but she stopped to talk to all of us. She had some lunch and then took a long nap. I got to curl up beside her. I wanted to snuggle up to kiss her, but remembered that she said I was not to walk across her stomach. After her nap, she had a piece of toast and then went back to bed. I laid on her legs all night long. I wanted to be close and to keep her warm. In the morning, I discovered that she kept a small pillow on her tummy all night. I think that might have been to keep me from walking on her.

Yesterday I could tell she was feeling better. She took Missy for walks, but she spent most of the day on the window seat in the living room reading. She drank lots of tea and let me snuggle beside her. She did find a way to let me lay across her shoulder. She worked with me to find just the right place for my back feet.

Today she and Dad went grocery shopping like they normally do on Sundays. For a change, Dad was the one who had to bring in the bags filled with the groceries. Mom took Missy for a walk while he did that. The cat lady went with her. The cat lady then came in to help Mom a bit. Mom isn’t to bend or twist for a few days, so the cat lady picked up some things and then swept the kitchen floor. That made Mom happy. Missy puts just too much fuzz on the floor. I’ll bet Mom feels even better tomorrow and soon she will be able to pick me up. The hospital nurses told her not to lift anything over about 10 pounds. I weigh in at just over 11, so we will need to wait a few more days. I’m just glad she is home and back to being my mom.