Andrea

Old Brisbane gal, returning to my roots.
2 cats.
Living in the northern reaches of greater Brisbane.
Widowed (life partner 🤠) Aug '25. Bereft.
Trialling early retirement.
New partner (!!! 🎩) Apr '26.

I am the Brisbane version of [@Andrea](https://social.chinwag.org/@Andrea )

Gratefully residing in: Gubbi Gubbi country
cat 1: Pi - a silver spotted Bengal
cat A: Mouse, aka Missy Mu - a dilute torbie

Public Key

npub15twsezjmq2c3q4waxdnuw3qjdjjs3c4m0ek8lw72yhm3xqfzz52sw6c5f0

NIP-05 Address

[email protected]

Profile Code

nprofile1qqs29hgv3fds9vgs2hwnxe78gsfxefggu2ahumrlh09ztacnqy3p29gpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsfmpglh

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub15twsezjmq2c3q4waxdnuw3qjdjjs3c4m0ek8lw72yhm3xqfzz52sw6c5f0

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Last Notes

2026-04-22 12:56:00 GMT

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I started the day by going to the gym. Look at me! It's interesting walking/running while facing the ocean and being gently thrown from side to side.
The morning consisted of food and more food. Breakfast was what you'd expect from a large hotel's all you can eat buffet.
Back to the buffet for lunch and a variety of Indian curries, more excellent hot chips, and special (gf) cheesecake for dessert.
I spent the early afternoon in the lobby, listening to live country music and sipping some wine from my travel coffee mug.
I got my steps up in the afternoon walking around the ship, and found a 'secret' section with sun loungers in just the right amount of shade.
Then some more music (Fleetwood Mac cover band) before dinner. Elegant night - finally a use for the fancy op shop clothes I've been collecting! Also our first towel animal. 🐘
I finished the evening in the theatre with a music tribute to Showtunes of NYC.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/116/448/443/633/052/367/original/0d4914ef15f880e4.jpg
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/116/448/447/085/894/978/original/1f070e8c99730876.jpg
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2026-04-09 03:17:46 GMT

Who has 2 thumbs and just tipped 4 litres of water over the kitchen floor?
Despite the 2 thumbs I couldn't coordinate holding the 4l and opening the fridge door.
🤦🏻‍♀️
Who has 2 thumbs and a clean kitchen floor?

2026-01-23 03:34:43 GMT

God damnit. I thought I'd updated all of the next of kin/emergency contact things.
Nope.
Sucker-punched in the solar plexus.

2026-01-09 13:26:22 GMT

#MissyMouse is showing her feelings about there being a dog guest in the house currently.
Clean paws are important!
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/865/344/098/839/079/original/7c632446bf1e41a7.jpg
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/865/344/381/695/043/original/2cd1de32f90c1f64.jpg

2025-12-31 10:08:19 GMT

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it's cooking things off nicely!
I'm a fan.

2025-12-31 10:01:02 GMT

Hark! Is that the sound of felines tousling I hear in the distance?
Me: KITTENS!
2 cats appear, walking down the hallway. Nothing to see here Mum. We wouldn't fight!
#CatsOfMastodon #PiTheBengal #MissyMouse
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/813/582/226/318/574/original/0421eaa52f9ded32.jpg

2025-12-27 03:15:21 GMT

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thank you! This didn't come up in my research.

2025-12-27 02:19:48 GMT

I have a small 3-tier fountain in my front garden. One night I heard a "plop" and went to check. A cane toad had decided to rehydrate in it. Nope. Nope. Nope.
So I put a mesh cover on the bottom tier so that it couldn't have a bath that way.
I checked it the next night and the cane toad was sitting on top of the mesh, letting the water from the 2nd tier shower over it.
Maybe it's been talking to my 3-legged spider?

2025-12-26 12:23:33 GMT

Gutted there isn't a Dr Who Christmas special this year. 🧣

2025-12-23 05:49:53 GMT

I would like to publicly apologise to my two cats for failing to provide them with adequate cat beds all of these years. I've failed. I will endeavour to do better in the future.
#CatsOfMastodon #PiTheBengal #MissyMouse
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/767/296/988/074/318/original/c3a54cc52f123987.jpg

2025-12-21 21:37:14 GMT

Missy, pre-lining my carry on with cat fur, ensuring any clothes I pack for future trips are appropriately scented and presented.
#CatsOfMastodon
#MissyMouse
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/759/703/444/531/298/original/c24437792761d8d2.jpg

2025-12-10 23:47:17 GMT

When you love each other but can't agree on who's the big spoon and who's the little spoon.
#CatsOfMastodon #PiTheBengal #MissyMouse
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/697/929/761/810/627/original/61ae7bf3104ee259.jpg

2025-12-10 12:41:32 GMT

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💜

2025-12-10 07:37:24 GMT

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he's "only" 6 kg, but it's all muscle and he's long-legged and just plain long and lithe.
Missy is 5kg and a mid-size bundle of round chonky purrs and wonderfulness.

2025-12-10 04:14:40 GMT

By my calculations there is room for at least 4-6 more cats.
#CatsOfMastodon #PiTheBengal #MissyMouse
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/693/310/954/010/236/original/e5f593b216cbcfd3.jpg

2025-12-08 11:20:29 GMT

It's clear who the top cat is.
Pi loves this tree, it used to be in my home office, but that's been closed up for the last few months. I dragged it out to the lounge this afternoon (he was on it the whole way).
#CatsOfMastodon #PiTheBengal #MissyMouse
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/683/665/953/658/240/original/e53f00a05725f262.jpg

2025-12-07 01:26:56 GMT

I'm a vaguely nerdy introvert. Should I take the plunge and go on a week-long cruise (by myself)?

2025-12-06 11:12:30 GMT

I've had #hypoglycemia before, but never known myself to have slurred speech due to it before.
It was interesting. I could hear myself slurring, and had to try really hard not to slur (still failed). Had none of my usual symptoms (shaky, clammy skin).
Sorted quickly once I realized what it was (and tested to confirm).

2025-12-02 11:52:17 GMT

I'm not sure what to think. #MissyMouse put herself to bed an hour ago.
I've now joined her, but Pi is still in the lounge room monologuing.
#CatsOfMastodon
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/649/815/102/493/336/original/9ff3257b5738c152.jpg

2025-12-01 01:53:49 GMT

#MissyMouse had only one complaint from my weekend away.
Her* new box had somehow gotten closed, so she couldn't get in it.
This was quickly rectified when I walked in the door and she's happy again.
#CatsOfMastodon
*All boxes are owned by the resident cat(s).
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/641/805/960/579/767/original/b81f5779bcf9cc33.jpg

2025-12-01 00:08:35 GMT

Rhetorical question of the day.
Why is a jewelry store advertising for Cyber Monday?

2025-11-30 12:06:23 GMT

Hello #Brisbane
(Plane delay, but at least it wasn't cancelled!)

2025-11-27 08:56:19 GMT

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yep. All of my wi-fi connected stuff wants to auto-start when the power comes back on.
I've woken up at 3am to a fully lit house, and various other things awakening from their temporary slumber.

2025-11-27 08:35:08 GMT

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I'm feeling like I'm pushing my luck.
Everywhere around me has lost power in the last week for days, but I've had no more than a minute outage.
In the 3 years I've been here, I lost power for maybe 6-10 hours from the cyclone. I don't think this changed existence can go on much longer.

2025-11-27 08:04:44 GMT

Getting frequent power-blips here. Possibly time to fast-track that battery.
Closest lightning strike had been 200m away (so far).
So far the worst part of the power-blood is that it takes the home network out (until finishes rebooting/connecting), which means I can't use the wi-fi to restart the fan and have to use the actual remote - which is also right beside me, so 🤷‍♀️).
#BNEStorm #BNEWeather

2025-11-24 06:49:00 GMT

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all good here.

2025-11-24 05:51:27 GMT

City-sized rapid ice-maker is in use!
#WeatherToot #BNEWeather #BNEStorm
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/603/106/850/876/711/original/7b0ffc7b0c78691e.jpg

2025-11-24 02:07:02 GMT

#melbourneFediFriends
I'm going to be in Melbourne (CBD) this Friday evening. Anyone interested in a catch-up?

2025-11-23 23:32:06 GMT

There is a deep, melodious, electronically-generated chime in my house.
I've heard it a half dozen times in the last 24 hours. Frequent enough that I know I'm not just hearing things, infrequent enough to make tracking it down challenging.
Based on the tone, it feels like something is trying to connect to Bluetooth/Wi-Fi and failing/timing out.
This is not helping me identify it.
It's going to drive me crazy until I figure it out.

2025-11-22 10:42:32 GMT

Cat update.
Some friends came to visit this afternoon.
Pi is 100% sure that they came to visit him and is now wondering where they went after only 3 hours of pats.
Missy was completely nonplussed about the visitors, as far as she is concerned, they just interrupted her time with Pi.
#CatsOfMastodon #PiTheBengal #MissyMouse
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/592/917/581/513/848/original/c05b6d80d7339889.jpg
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2025-11-20 01:53:15 GMT

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it was the quickest way to get him to settle so that I could go back to sleep!
He was purring madly the whole time.
I suspect I have enabled this monster.
He has no shame.

2025-11-20 01:07:14 GMT

This is the cat that decided he desperately needed pats at 4:30am, *and* to be carried to the kitty litter.
It's now 11am and he hasn't gotten out of bed yet.
#PiTheBengal #CatsOfMastodon
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/579/342/534/836/627/original/f6266d721f271256.jpg

2025-11-19 23:03:18 GMT

I went to my hairdresser yesterday. She greeted me with, "You look tired".
Continued with, "Are you sleeping? Are you eating properly? Are you....."
I guess. I'm trying.
I was also wearing black which washes me out a bit, but it's a really cute black T-shirt with a gold sequin bat signal on it - so reasons.
Anyway, nice to have random people who care.
It's been 3 months since a pickaxe went through my heart.
I'm in a phase of avoiding processing/thinking right now I think. Not that it doesn't break through constantly.
If anyone knows how to turn the brain off for a bit, please let me know.
#grief #bereavement

2025-11-14 13:56:59 GMT

We've had a wee bit of rain here this evening, 35mm in the last 6 hours.
My cats are inside cats. They have an enclosure deck (cat meshed) out the back and a small, enclosed, uncovered courtyard. What I'm saying is, something like 98% of the area the cats can freely access is covered.
Pi just came running up to me, all excited for pats. He is wet. Very wet. 🤷‍♀️
#PiTheBengal

2025-11-13 04:20:58 GMT

It never fails.
Step 1. Put laptop on my lap
Step 2. Abandon hope of actually being able to do anything because #laptopCat has arrived.
Step 3. Reach over the cat to type and get meowed at, persist and get swiped at.
#PiTheBengal #CatsOfMastodon #CatBellies
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/540/462/650/356/067/original/43843139892803e6.jpg

2025-11-12 11:34:49 GMT

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oh, that's sad (that they stopped).
I was really impressed with the local nursery I picked up my free (and other) plants from. I'll definitely be back for more.
@npub1a9l…jzz6

2025-11-12 11:16:15 GMT

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not many locals seem to know about it - it isn't well advertised. I only found it because I went searching for it directly on the off chance.

2025-11-12 06:42:47 GMT

My local council gives residents 4 tubes of native plants every financial year on a voucher system.
Yesterday I collected 2 years worth, plus a couple of additional ones.
1 front garden planted out with tiny, tiny plants. 3 front gardens to go, a side garden and who knows what in the back.
I also bought a cat snack pack from the local green warehouse, which got planted out today to replace the chomped ones.
#florespondence #nativePlantAustralia
Planted in the front native garden are:
Purple pea bush
Southern midyim
Spear lily
Spiked mint bush
Dianella (possibly Dianella caerulea)
Grevillea bronze rambler
And cat snacks are:
Cat grass
Cat mint
Cat nip.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/535/332/081/154/247/original/01c4e0b4e8a82b2e.jpg
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2025-11-10 07:19:27 GMT

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I'm doing some recreational* computer touching.
*It is not in any way, shape, or form "recreational"

2025-11-09 11:53:02 GMT

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after due consideration, I'd have to say red widow. I'm not Northern, Southern or Western, and I'm too European to be brown, so process of elimination...
And I did just acquire (and restore) red leather shoes and leather handbag at op shops recently. 🤷‍♀️

2025-11-09 09:18:39 GMT

#beefcake

2025-11-08 13:24:10 GMT

In working through my grief I'm doing a lot of random internet searches to find material to read and consider.
Sometimes it suggests other phrases for me.
One such phrase is "What are the 5 types of widows?"
I was curious, and wondered if someone had put together a quiz - something like "Which Friends/Star Trek/Breaking Bad character are you?"
I finally clicked on it to see what the options were and what type of widow I am.
Oh.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/514/285/808/683/539/original/7f16b3ecd6f38082.png

2025-11-04 07:18:57 GMT

I did an art!
(Free art class run by my local council.)
It's been around 40 years since I did any art. It was fun (re) learning techniques and seeing my technique (?), skill (?), eye (?) improve over the course of a couple of hours.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/490/192/233/588/843/original/25571b6c050110ec.jpg

2025-11-03 02:32:47 GMT

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rest assured, there will be no pushing allowed.

2025-11-03 01:18:30 GMT

When my 🤠 exited left, permanently, about 10 weeks ago, I fell into a deep hole of loneliness. We both knew we needed to expand our friendship connections (both recently moved to the area) and that was my plan for December when I started retirement. Alas, retirement started, unexpectedly, in August.
So after throwing myself bodily into grief therapy and journaling and everything and anything I could find, I started pushing myself to get out, do things, and make new friends.
I'd been enjoying a philosophical discussion with one person, so we continued over a coffee.
This person has now asked me out on "another date".
What now? A *date* let alone *another* date? I didn't know the coffee was a date.
They know my recent history.
But I considered, and have no reason to say no - assuming emotional maturity, continued respect and all those kinds of things.
So, apparently I'm going on a picnic on Wednesday. 👀😳

2025-11-01 05:58:52 GMT

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barely worth the name here. I enjoyed the rumbles in the distance.

2025-11-01 05:27:12 GMT

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Procrastination - update
I reminded myself I didn't have to do the whole job in one hit.
The dumping ground from 2.5 years ago has been dealt with now.
Old cardboard broken down and recycled.
Bottles sorted into recycle/reuse.
Rubbish disposed of.
One old leather handbag had been mistreated, it's now restored.
Back to the TV now.

2025-11-01 02:51:08 GMT

Procrastination.
My plan today was to tackle the deck.
- dumping ground post move 2.5 years ago
- dumping ground during cyclone prep
- dumping ground to reduce clutter in lounge room.
Instead, so far today I have swim and had breakfast (on the deck - it's still useable).
Now I'm tired and have plonked in front of the TV (in the lovely, uncluttered lounge room).
Maybe in an hour or two?

2025-10-30 11:22:42 GMT

Conspiracy theories heard today....
The government limits solar panel efficiency to 20%
(I clarified she didn't mean the limit fed into the grid so as to not destabilize the old infrastructure tech that can't handle rapid changes, but no.)
Solar paint tech developed by RMIT students has been bought by the government and suppressed.
(A quick Internet search tonight uncovered multiple references to this tech and how is being commercially developed with launch expected in the next few years.)
🤷‍♀️

2025-10-28 00:59:52 GMT

I finally found a #CoffeeTableBook worthy of the name.
#dinosaurs
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/449/075/842/050/747/original/615d656c4544e9b3.jpg

2025-10-25 12:10:02 GMT

I started the day with a swim, then I mowed the front yard (will hold it for a few weeks until my regular mowing guy comes through again), the cats and I had an afternoon nap and then I went to the gym this evening for #beefcake.
Feeling quite virtuous.
We won't mention the cake, cheese, pizza, or booze that I had today. 🤐

2025-10-25 10:48:06 GMT

A friend suggested I might enjoy _Murder is my life_ - on FTA (9).
Very non-serious police-adjacent detective show - with Lucy Lawless (!).
It's watchable, not sure I'd skip leg day for it though. I am enjoying spotting the Melbourne locations and local comedian/actors getting the odd bit part in it though.

2025-10-24 13:35:56 GMT

I just got roused on by a cat. Effectively got told it's my bedtime and I should go to bed.
I don't know whether he's concerned for my health, wants to ensure breakfast is at a reasonable time, or is after my chair.
2 out of 3?
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/429/398/746/151/039/original/ac8a2b18163630f5.jpg

2025-10-21 06:06:39 GMT

Ah, the warmth of spring.
#CatsOfMastodon #PiTheBengal
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/410/642/850/483/062/original/38a48f5b4846da12.jpg

2025-10-20 11:28:37 GMT

2.25 months ago I got a quote to replace the roof on my back deck (maintenance not improvement).
2.1 months ago I accepted the quote and they advised the delay was about 1 month.
2 months ago #aTerribleThingHappenedTM and I didn't care what happened, or when it happened.
Nothing roof-related happened.
0.25 months ago I followed up on the roofer.
The roofer is coming tomorrow.
At 7 €#$¥!? AM.
I am not a morning person.
The cats are not even morning cats.
After the back deck roof is replaced I can look into electrical upgrades (points, lighting) throughout the whole house and back deck. Definite improvements.
Roofers will also be removing the lower deck roof. We'd planned to deconstruct the rest, level the ground and build a back courtyard, water feature, and gazebo (outsourcing where required).
I'll do what I can, the 'where required' bit will be slightly more than planned. Either that or I'll buy more tools and build more muscle (and blisters).

2025-10-20 11:14:13 GMT

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🫂💜

2025-10-20 10:51:01 GMT

Efficiency?
I got an SMS reminder this morning from my GP, that I had blood tests due... As I was sitting in the waiting room to get the blood tests done.

2025-10-20 10:49:03 GMT

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my pool is starting to get regular use.
Not until after 4pm though, when the UV has reduced to less crispy levels.

2025-10-18 10:01:45 GMT

In the spirit of change I rearranged my lounge room today. I've read that moving furniture around is a good way to constructively break patterns and move through grief.
It also meant the room got a thorough vacuum after relying on the robovac and the odd spot clean for way too long.
The new arrangement is cosier and somehow frees up a lot of space. Weird. It also, sadly, works for a single person with friends.
The cats appear to approve. Both have visited me for lap time.
I celebrated with a delivery pizza (during a brief break in the storm) and the first margarita of summer.
Ken would have loved the margarita, insisted on making our own pizza, and hated the single person furniture arrangement. 💔

2025-10-17 01:00:57 GMT

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I've looked on the local pages and no one has reported one missing. They are also native to Australia.
But if it's still there when I get back home I'll take it to the rspca.

2025-10-16 23:31:47 GMT

#birbs
I heard some splashing in my pool this morning, figured the birds were having a bath and cooling off.
The splashing went on a little too long and I had to go save this little one. It's now resting in the shade, regathering its strength.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/386/445/741/015/108/original/b64a662052dfaa34.jpg

2025-10-16 09:57:17 GMT

I had to ask someone what day of the week it was today.
#RetiredLife
.
.
.
.
.
[CW: MH, heavy, grief]
But also just exhausted from multiple grief events (and somehow still waking up alive every day) - MH starting to improve finally - sorry this got a bit heavy, it started out all light... 🤷‍♀️

2025-10-16 04:27:45 GMT

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Lap time.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/381/948/261/031/282/original/4b943ea038bb4b7f.jpg

2025-10-16 02:41:07 GMT

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I have arrived back home. AWOL (as far as the cats are concerned) for about 21hr.
Missy was unconcerned and gave me a polite, almost surprised, greeting.
Pi gave me 1 snarky meow. It was not polite.
Food applied.
Lap-time is next.

2025-10-15 09:31:51 GMT

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While I'm here, I'm also searching out an appropriate place for his memorial tree planting.
I found the perfect place this afternoon.
He lived near this park for a few years and I can picture him riding through it in the early morning, as was his want, and resting on the park bench to take in the morning. There were even people kayaking in the gentle swell. These were all of his favourite things.
#grief #MaroochyRiver
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/377/478/870/442/462/original/6e5637f742cd814a.jpg

2025-10-15 09:15:19 GMT

I left home at 3pm and won't return until about midday tomorrow*.
I decided the cats would be ok for the time without a human to wait on them hand and foot.
By 6:30pm**, both cats had been to raid the dry food.
*Ken's work (local council) is doing a memorial mention for him in their city hall meeting tomorrow morning. I came up to avoid an early morning drive (1hr+) in an unfamiliar area while distressed.
**I have a camera*** pointing at their food (and kitty litter).
***What?! Doesn't everyone? It's totally normal.

2025-10-13 10:04:33 GMT

Why is every* charging cable different?
I have smart swim goggles, bone conduction headsets, smart watches, and various other devices - all different.
It's about 6 months since I last went swimming, so ~6 months since they last got charged. I charge them in the lounge room. The lounge room has been rearranged and new furniture included several times in the last 6 months.
I'm sure you can see what's coming.
The pool is warm enough again, time to charge the goggles, but where is the charger? All other chargers are located where expected.
I look up replacement chargers. Only $25, annoying, but not too bad. Oh, but shipping is $25. Nope. Ironically, if the charger was $40 and shipping was $10 I may have bought it.
2 days of pulling things out and looking.
Found it tonight, caught between the couch seat cushion and arm, dangling down the front of the couch. I'm sure it wasn't there for the last 6 months. 🤷‍♀️
*Yes, I know not every cable is different, just quite a lot of them.

2025-10-09 11:37:40 GMT

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just Allen's freckles. But gluten free, so #winning

2025-10-09 09:55:14 GMT

I'm skipping my birthday this year.
Will try again next year, maybe the year after.
(Currently celebrating at home by myself* with a bag of expensive, airport chocolate freckles.)
*Alone by choice** - the last few days were "a lot".
**Hanging out with friends tomorrow night.

2025-10-09 09:05:13 GMT

Back in #Brisbane
Exhausted (mentally, emotionally), but very glad for the warmth (and cats).
Could everyone please just stay alive for a bit?

2025-10-08 09:04:54 GMT

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traveling back tomorrow. 2 night stay - mum wouldn't be able to cope with anything quicker.
And ironically, a Melbourne friend came up last weekend to spend some (distraction) time with me. She's currently cat-sitting for me! (And also enjoying some non-emotionally heavy time wandering around art galleries and such-like.)

2025-10-08 08:33:23 GMT

2nd day in Bendigo. Long, emotional day with way too many people (mostly lovely family, but still a lot).
Mum and I skipped out on the optional late afternoon& evening events and opted to snooze/rest in our very comfortable accommodation.
It's now dinner time and I was summoning the energy to go for a drive, when I remembered that delivery apps existed!
Ordered (chicken pud Thai) and currently sitting with fingers crossed that delivery drivers also exist in Bendigo!

2025-10-08 05:25:30 GMT

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💜🫂

2025-10-07 09:01:30 GMT

Hello #Bendigo
Here for a couple of days for a family funeral.
3rd one this year - hopefully that's it for awhile.

2025-10-03 07:36:16 GMT

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💜

2025-09-29 15:30:03 GMT

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well and truly Tuesday.
Sleep Ash!

2025-09-29 07:10:53 GMT

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🫂

2025-09-26 08:27:46 GMT

My smartwatch counts my steps and celebrates when I hit my daily goal.
Yesterday my watch buzzed excitedly to announce the successful achievement - as I was lowering the foot section of my electric recliner, while sitting in it and using the electric button.
I'm not sure that should count?

2025-09-26 05:15:07 GMT

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yeah, only 2. The local council rules stipulate only 2. And I'm a rule follower...

2025-09-26 04:15:14 GMT

I'm a white, middle-aged woman with 2 cats. I live alone (recently widowed) and have just commenced n years off work (where n >=1) (aka trialling early retirement).
I have just bought myself a cat coffee mug.
I fear I'm one step away from a 'Live Love Laugh' poster. Please prepare for an intervention.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/268/647/726/065/605/original/0341488f9e7a8e5d.jpg

2025-09-25 08:44:54 GMT

Baby cat emotional support time.
#PiTheBengal
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/264/048/083/864/983/original/4bfd61554bf41d64.jpg

2025-09-24 09:42:40 GMT

Both cats have deserted me this afternoon/evening.
Best anecdotal evidence so far that my emotions/grief/mental state have turned a corner.
Still a rollercoaster that I wish I'd never been forced on, but maybe I've done enough loops and laps now that I believe I can handle what's coming around the next curve.

2025-09-21 11:12:22 GMT

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the best (worst) I ever did was leave my power cable at home. Laptop later for about 5 hours of video calls and then I had to take the afternoon off.
In my last (technically still current) job, I probably could have faked it via email and teams on my phone. I wouldn't have gotten any actual work done, but at least I would have looked like I was online. 🤷‍♀️

2025-09-21 10:37:06 GMT

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they have just departed. I reckon I'll see them again within a week.

2025-09-21 09:22:27 GMT

Unexpected guests for a few hours on my back deck. The cats are not impressed.
AKA how to meet the neighbours. (Escapee dogs, I didn't dognap them.)
#DogsOfMastodon
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/241/547/461/262/907/original/306a41da0c4e6a15.jpg

2025-09-20 07:47:16 GMT

Happy #caturday
#MissyMouse #PiTheBengal #CatsOfMastodon
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/235/504/668/635/959/original/b532a9f06a98844c.jpg
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/235/505/386/073/144/original/35574e607c62618f.jpg

2025-09-18 11:57:31 GMT

Best cat ever.
Normally he sits on my lap facing the other way, tonight he keeps curling up facing me, happily accepting all the pats I need to give him. 😻🐆
#PiTheBengal #CatsOfMastodon
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/225/168/753/966/501/original/e470501c53c34fbb.jpg

2025-09-18 10:50:04 GMT

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♥️🩶😔

2025-09-18 06:48:42 GMT

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thank you.
It will be a lot different to what I'd originally planned. Activities will be much the same, and hopefully my heart will heal a little whole that's happening.
🩶💜💔

2025-09-18 06:27:16 GMT

#TrialRetirement initiated.
Sabbatical approved. Official return to work date 14/9/26.

2025-09-17 09:31:44 GMT

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oh, there are so many places and foods and things I am avoiding. Gym was always going to be a solo thing, we had different patterns. My only bravery is really the stubborness of not allowing myself to use my grief as an excuse for stopping everything.
Your posts also reminded me that therapy is a thing that can be helpful. So thank you. 🩶

2025-09-17 08:57:45 GMT

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Beefcake enabled. First session tomorrow, or Friday.
I only teared up once while in the gym, and once while driving home.

2025-09-17 07:57:04 GMT

#beefcake ?
Local (24hr) gym has a 30 day free trial. Gym already vetted, approved and frequented by a lovely neighbour.
I guess it's time.

2025-09-16 04:47:23 GMT

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💜💔🩶

2025-09-14 12:20:58 GMT

I'd kind of like to go to bed, but that would mean disturbing two very contented cats.
#CatsOfMastodon #PiTheBengal #MissyMouse
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/202/614/044/249/799/original/0453bd81b723eb20.jpg

2025-09-13 12:08:54 GMT

I spent the afternoon with a friend and then the evening with family - all listening and hugging and *being* there for me.
My brother bought me flowers.
Then I got home and Pi crawled into my lap to be my baby kitten while I watch Rob Lowe in Lone Star 9-1-1. (Thanks tqft, and Mike.)
Love family, love friends, love cats.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/196/906/438/227/377/original/4b567bee5b0a2b7c.jpg
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/196/906/436/036/872/original/2d6cb267543ba857.jpg

2025-09-12 21:24:52 GMT

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another item to add to the list is who you notify, why (what relationship) and how - so many different communication protocols these days. And then who to invite to a wake.
The will lays out how to deal with the financials. My family keeps "death folders" of where all the accounts etc are. But I've not seen anything that lays out how to care for the people left behind - what these people meant and the respect you'd like them to be accorded and how that might work.
- from the POV of someone currently being gaslit, disrespected, and sidelined by the executor of my late partner's will. Because my mental and emotional health is irrelevant, only the money is relevant.

2025-09-12 11:44:02 GMT

TV series recommendations please
Looking for something with a bit of silly action and procedural drama - nothing award worthy.
Similar to:
NCIS
CSI
Covert Affairs
Bull
Bones
The Rookie
Suggestions please, hoping to find something I haven't seen yet that I can sink into the void watching for a week or so without surfacing or thinking.

2025-09-10 11:27:13 GMT

One difference between my wonderful 🤠 and I was that I never assumed I was included/invited unless it was explicit, whereas he always assumed he was.
I've just seen this referred to as 'being a vampire' i.e. needing to be specifically invited in order to enter.
Ken could never understand the thought patterns behind my belief patterns (although we agreed to always state/ask as required). I read the vampire thing and thought, 'oh, he'll get this!'. But, no, he won't, because he's no longer here. 💔😢

2025-09-09 12:11:05 GMT

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Order restored.
https://assets.bne.social/media_attachments/files/115/174/265/525/379/670/original/9802a76c2ee30ebf.jpg