Couch 228--The Wellness Couch

Lemon, I get the crying during a massage. I've cried a few times during yoga classes, too. I think they can just dredge stuff up and sort of unlock emotions that were maybe trapped in some way?

Hi Couchmates!


I went to the Animal Shelter on Saturday. I was a little overwhelmed with the sheer number of cats they had. First I was shown the kittens which threw me because I wanted a cat. They sure were cute though. But I said, "Oh, no, I was looking for a cat." So they switched workers and another worker started showing me all the cats and pointing out a couple that she thought would be a good fit.


I met two of the cats. Coral and Vivian. Coral was cute, sort of fawn colored and she did eventually come to me but she was more curious about the room. Vivian is a black and white cat, short hair, about 2 years old. I ended up picking her. She kept going around the room in big circles and came circling by me for pets. I needed to pick her up to let the Animal Shelter lady back in the room and she immediately started purring. She seemed really comfortable with me. The Animal Shelter lady said I could change her name it was just one they gave her when she was found.


I wasn't able to take her home on Saturday because she needed to get fixed and I paid for her to get microchipped as well. She is supposed to have surgery today (I'm a nervous Mama!) But I am supposed to get a call today from the animal hospital to come pick her up when she is done and then she will be mine. So I brought my cat crate to work (and into the office). I didn't want it to get hot in the car. (It's supposed to be 102 today). And I brought the folder from the Animal Shelter because they said I would need that as proof she is my cat when I go to the animal hospital to pick her up.


I talked names over with my Mom and we decided on Helen Rose. Helen after my great grandmother who my Mom loved very much and Rose was Esther's middle name. I'll mostly just call her Helen, the Rose part is if she is in trouble. But it is sort of a tribute to both of those.


I will post a picture when I get a decent one. The time that I had with Helen when she was in the room there was a big husky dog on the other side of the glass and she was a bit put off by that and I couldn't get a good picture of her face, though I got some great action shots.


I feel bad for the other cat that I didn't take. So I went to my city's website (It's a city run shelter) and there is a way to sponsor an animal to help make them more adoptable, you pay the spay/neuter fees and the adoption fees and stuff. So I emailed them to ask how I can do that for Coral, the cat I didn't take. That way hopefully she ends up in a good home.

I am stressed waiting for the call from the vet telling me I can come get my baby. Though I imagine it will be in the afternoon. I am hoping her surgery goes well and that she doesn't have to wear one of those cones. I went to my vet (the same one that Amelia has) and I set up an appointment for her on the 24th for shots, a check up and whatever else she needs. I can get her on pet insurance then. I picked up a cat tree for her too because Amelia has one and I don't want them fighting over one. So at least if I have two they will be okay. Esther never much cared for the cat tree so it wasn't a problem. But Amelia and Helen will be closer together in age so I think they will each like a cat tree. I have her room ready for when I get to bring her home and I put her bed and her cat tree in it. I'm going to start feeding Amelia and Helen on either side of the door so they can get used to each other's scents and experience something pleasurable (eating) while being in the presence of each other (except the door will be closed). The lady at the shelter said I had a good plan for introducing Helen to the rest of my pets....Amelia and Emma. So I am hopeful this will work out.


I can't wait to get some decent photos of Helen so I can introduce her around the couch. I hope she is a very affectionate cat. It's hard to tell from a 10 minute visit but it seems like she will be.


Hugs to anyone who wants one,

Kit

Helen Rose sounds lovely and sweet! You are such a blessing for her.

In-person, outdoor session with Dr. T went well. I was a bit panicked at first, because I got there early, and the two outdoor tables on the side of the building he said he's used before were occupied. I got an iced tea at the coffee place (their tables) then took one out front. Before, he'd said he'd have moved his chair to be 6 feet apart, but because we were in front of the building and near other tables, he said was OK to sit a bit closer, so we wouldnt' have to shout over other people (and the drone of the cicadas).

I teared up a little shortly after he sat down, but then didn't cry the rest of the session (we kept it a bit lighter). He was in a short-sleeve button-down shirt and shorts. I'd figured I'd be able to sort of block out the shorts thing, except he had his legs crossed in a way that his (bare) knee was resting against the table. It was OK though.

I was very anxious at the start (I mentioned it, and he said he could tell), but calmed down fairly quickly. It was a more relaxed and informal session than usual, some more chit chat, some disclosures from him (like, apparently we have similar car-driving styles, in terms of not exactly following the speed limit, plus other things). But we did talk about some therapy topics, and it was helpful, both in terms of those and sort of reconnecting in a way.

It's funny, I said near the beginning how I thought maybe meeting outside would make an easier transition between virtual and in-person inside his office. He said he'd actually been concerned that it would be weird for me, because we'd never met outside the office before. How it could have felt more like two friends meeting for coffee, how it was more informal. I was like, "Well, I mean, it wasn't in person, but I've met with you from my bedroom, and you've been in your house some of the times, so..." As in, it wasn't only in his office then trying to meet outside at a coffee shop. He seemed to get it.

I think this will just be an occasional thing until he's back in person inside his office. Like maybe once a month? Once every few weeks? Will depend on weather, too. As he mentioned, we lucked out today, as it wasn't too hot, was mostly cloudy, slight breeze.

I admit I found it difficult to say goodbye, and it was probably good that it was outside, so he could stand up and, after scheduling and a few words about the session, tell me "Bye now" (kindly) and head into the building. As opposed to my having to walk out of his office while he stayed there.

Sounds like it went pretty well! I'm glad it worked out. I bet it was hard to say "bye". I hope you get to keep meeting in person whenever you're both comfortable with it.

I may have to hire my dog a night nurse

In-person, outdoor session with Dr. T went well. I was a bit panicked at first, because I got there early, and the two outdoor tables on the side of the building he said he's used before were occupied. I got an iced tea at the coffee place (their tables) then took one out front. Before, he'd said he'd have moved his chair to be 6 feet apart, but because we were in front of the building and near other tables, he said was OK to sit a bit closer, so we wouldnt' have to shout over other people (and the drone of the cicadas).

I teared up a little shortly after he sat down, but then didn't cry the rest of the session (we kept it a bit lighter). He was in a short-sleeve button-down shirt and shorts. I'd figured I'd be able to sort of block out the shorts thing, except he had his legs crossed in a way that his (bare) knee was resting against the table. It was OK though.

I was very anxious at the start (I mentioned it, and he said he could tell), but calmed down fairly quickly. It was a more relaxed and informal session than usual, some more chit chat, some disclosures from him (like, apparently we have similar car-driving styles, in terms of not exactly following the speed limit, plus other things). But we did talk about some therapy topics, and it was helpful, both in terms of those and sort of reconnecting in a way.

It's funny, I said near the beginning how I thought maybe meeting outside would make an easier transition between virtual and in-person inside his office. He said he'd actually been concerned that it would be weird for me, because we'd never met outside the office before. How it could have felt more like two friends meeting for coffee, how it was more informal. I was like, "Well, I mean, it wasn't in person, but I've met with you from my bedroom, and you've been in your house some of the times, so..." As in, it wasn't only in his office then trying to meet outside at a coffee shop. He seemed to get it.

I think this will just be an occasional thing until he's back in person inside his office. Like maybe once a month? Once every few weeks? Will depend on weather, too. As he mentioned, we lucked out today, as it wasn't too hot, was mostly cloudy, slight breeze.

I admit I found it difficult to say goodbye, and it was probably good that it was outside, so he could stand up and, after scheduling and a few words about the session, tell me "Bye now" (kindly) and head into the building. As opposed to my having to walk out of his office while he stayed there.

Thanks, Artie. I think maybe the "bye" was also difficult because, eons ago, prepandemic, we'd shake hands to part ways. So this was just sort of stand up from the table and "OK, bye now." Also, knowing he was going back up to his office, where I wasn't allowed to be.

Daniel Craig and Gerard Butler - two different people.

Daniel craig 007.

Gerard butler - not 007, but in a 007, with pierce brosnan.

See also Tobey Maguire and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Nope, those two are easy for me - Howdy Doody and Aaron Rodgers are their respective doppelgangers!

I have no idea who these people are. I don't know if that's because I am uber cool or because you are.

Howdy is a tv marionet from the 1950's - he had his own show. Aaron hopes to become the next host of Jepardy. His day job as footballer isnt enough.