My cat had her annual check up today. I've had her for just on a year now. She has taken a long time to warm up and relax. Unfortunately today I think she lost a bit of trust in me. She saw the cage and just knew what was coming. It was an experience getting her in the cage.

And the hisses she gave the vet during a clip of her nails were impressive! This was after the vaccination and general checkup of spine, joints, eyes, ears and belly so I guess she just had had enough. Totally understand.

So after some alone time she will now come to me for scritches but not close enough where I could pick her up. And her side eye game is impressive.

Ah well.. Three steps forward; 1 step back. I'll take it. This is Mavis.

Pecan pie success. Very happy. One is already in the fridge and this one is about to join it.

My dear son wasn't interested in staying up till midnight and also wanted someone to sleep with him. I volunteered as tribute. At 10pm.

His bed is not good for my back. He smacked me about in his sleep by accident (I think). I woke up every 2hrs and took ages to return to sleep. Around 3am he mumbled a "sorry" to me. But I think he was dreaming.

And now he is rejecting my pancakes.

I've had worse New Years. I'm gonna go eat pancakes.

I've had my Mum's vegetable soup since I moved out of home permanently at age 22. 28 years ago.

Today I finally made it.

Couldn't fit in the pumpkin and I know I won't get any rice in at the end but it's ok. Added some minced garlic but stuck to the recipe otherwise.

Not exciting but warm and familiar and chunky.

I have not cooked a roast anything in many, many years. But tonight WE ROAST!

Chicken is the beast of choice! With roast veg, cauliflower & cheese and peas.

I'm a boring, basic cook at best so this could go either way..

My indoor cat just dashed through the door as I was going out. First time she has done this. I only adopted her almost a month.

Panic!

She jumped my fence which borders a large park. I grabbed a blanket, some food and went into the park, yelling her name but not really hopeful.

My son comes out yelling "Mum! She's at the back door!". He let's her in and she bolts for a bed to hide under.

She can have all the pets and treats tonight. My heart rate is gonna take some time to recover.

NtccCat:

Cat cafe. Sushi. Churros. Train rides. Far better day than what yesterday was.

Cat tax!

My house is visitor clean. Some place are really clean now! So welcome! Just don't open that door. Or that door. And don't check that cupboard.

I have 4-and-a-bit days to make my first official cosplay item. A helmet of sorts.

I was hoping Amazon would provide the goods but they let me down.

So now it's me, a hot glue gun and some supplies from Savers, Bunnings & Spotlight.

The hopes of a 9yo boy are in my barely-capable hands.

Heater on. Long cardigan on. Cosy old man slippers on (with socks). Love Melbourne weather.

Now I'm ready to ice 4 batches of gingerbread and help my kid build a gingerbread house.

Gotta laugh: about to leave to go camping near NSW/VIC border. If we can get through today without being washed away I'll be happy.

So any emotional extremes today. Tonight is comfort food, blanket, couch and either Netflix or gaming. Tomorrow will be better.

Promised my kid an early morning beach visit tomorrow. Can't say I'm overly excited about it but it still should be nice to dip my toes around 7am. An hour or 2 then home to AC.

Feeling a little caged at the moment with this heat.

Does anyone here have a recommendation a psychologist in the Monash Council area?

GP is happy to give me a referral but needs a name.

I need help with stress, anxiety & depression. Trying to avoid meds if possible. Need to get on top of this.

Thanks for anything & everything.

I saw a young asian man today wearing a red robe (silky or satiny) with a thing black belt and a silver or white cirular embroidery of a dragon or Phoenix design on the front. It was over his normal clothes.

I was with my son, in the car, on the way home from his martial arts class. We both noticed the man and decided he looked like a mega cool modern warrior monk. Going shopping (he had his phone and a personal pull-along shopping trolley).

Maybe he was going to or from some traditional performance or practice. Either way, he looked cool, triggered our imaginations and made our day.

I had a dream last night that I owned a golden Labrador called "King" and he was such a good, gentle and kind boy.

I've never owned a dog. Our house and yard are not suitable for a dog... But I kinda wish King was real.

For lunch I bought a Campbells pumpkin soup. I rarely have soup but i have a headcold, didn't want to make a batch from scratch and felt like something soothing.

This is not very nice soup. Way too sweet and not thick. I don't think I'm gonna finish it.

Luckily the knot rolls I got from the bakery are perfection.

Having a rough week so today I decided to get a jump on some birthday & Christmas shopping to divert my mind.

Not for adults - only kids. I love trying to find the right thing for a kid. And because I have a wide age range to consider, and all with different interests, it is all consuming mentally but hella fun.

I think I've done ok. But now I have to hide this stuff somewhere... Tetris time!

Every year people put their hard rubbish out early & a big blowy day hits. Shit gets scattered everywhere. Every year.

School pickup time and the black clouds remind me of when the Mind Flayer appears in Stranger Things.