Expect some posts soon...

I haven't been posting this week due to not sleeping well due to some back pain and bad dreams. In addition to the lower back pain, it seems I am starting to show symptoms of sciatica. It really shouldn't be a surprise to me given that both of my parents have had it, and my father's history of back problems probably dates back to when he was my age, or not too much older than I am. I know I can't remember a time in my life when he wasn't suffering from back trouble.

Despite all this, the pain I've experienced hasn't been intolerable. In fact, I count myself lucky that I've yet to feel the need to take anything for pain. My headaches are far, far worse than this so far, but I can tell there is potential for it to get worse. I have moments where I'm sitting down that I have to stand up and let my legs stretch out when I get some horrible pains going down the back of my left leg and into my hip (which is odd since it's usually my right hip that gives me trouble), and if I'm lying down I only experience some mild hip pain that I've had since I gave birth to the kiddo. Mostly my problem is that my lower back is incredibly stiff and tight. Walking can help me, but the problem is that it has been cold (for South Carolina, that is), and the cold not only aggravates the aches, it also means I can't really walk outside comfortably.

Honestly, it's not unusual for me to experience some aches and pains during the winter. I know that once things warm up, I'll be doing better and will also be able to get around more. I'm doing little bits of stretching here and there, mostly bending over sloooooowly at the waist because it does feel good, if a little sore, to stretch out my lower back. Additionally, one thing that would help is if I could quit sleeping on my stomach. For some reason, the last couple of weeks I've been winding up on my stomach during the night, and sleeping through that even though I hate sleeping on my stomach. It really puts pressure on my lower back when I do that and I have no idea how to stop myself from doing it. Weirdness.

Okay, and that's all the sitting in this chair I can handle right now. I'm going to go do some reading in bed and watch some old episodes of M*A*S*H until I need to head to the bank and possibly the post office (if I remember to grab the things I need to mail). When I post later today, I might have news of the feline variety along with some pictures.

A New Addition to the Household

Everyone, say hello to Jack! (I apologize for the poor quality of these pictures. I'll get better ones after he's had a chance to settle in.)





Jack is an eight-month old kitten who I adopted from the local animal advocacy group. They run a thrift store in town and all proceeds go toward the animal shelter and their low-cost spay and neuter program. Jack was apparently adopted once before and later returned (possibly because he is a somewhat feisty kitty, though not in a bad way to me), and when I took the kiddo in yesterday to see the two cats, he also fell in love. So, after filling out an application, a glowing recommendation from my vet, and paying an adoption fee, Jack came home to live with us today.

Prissy is currently sulking (as she did when Gwen came to live here), but when they first met, Jack sniffed her and then walked off elsewhere to explore. However, when the dogs were allowed back inside, Jack did not respond too well. Once Sasha and Penny got over the fact there was a new cat in here, they ignored Jack in favor of eating and laying on their beds. Jack wouldn't leave the hallway until they went back outside, but he did at least calm down. I suspect after a couple of days, he'll learn that these two dogs don't bother cats and will leave him alone as much as he wants to be left alone. I do think, however, that there may be a confrontation with the cat in the bathroom mirror, who Jack thinks looks suspiciously like him and he doesn't like it.

He is absolutely adorable. Anytime I get up to do anything, he immediately runs over to follow me and then rubs against my legs. The kiddo has already warmed up to him, and even told me he wanted to keep the name Jack (it's the name he got from the animal shelter). Tomorrow I'm going to buy some jingly balls for Jack since that was his favorite toy at the shelter, and so he'll have more things to keep him occupied.

Aww, he just came over and pawed at my leg so I would pet him. ^_^ I think he's going to make a good cat, and an excellent companion for the kiddo too.

When Internet Memes Invade Chat

[17:49:54] <@JadeNSC> http://l-userpic.livejournal.com/97024631/9623754 hahahahahahahahaha
[17:50:24] * @N_X[Work] laughs.
[17:51:21] <@N_X[Work]> <Conan> "So, Jay's 10 PM show is tanking? Looks like he'll just have to... *puts on sunglasses* chin up." YEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH
[17:52:12] <@N_X[Work]> (Yeah, that was pretty bad. ^_^; )
[17:52:30] <@JadeNSC> rofl
[17:52:42] <@JadeNSC> Bad, but I'm laughing.