Lauren's Lair: Here be dragons...

[Stottie Girl]

Lauren, you have been such a huge support to so many of us. Please take care of yourself.  I wish I could reflect back just a portion of the positive energy you shared with me. That love and support should not come at a cost to you.  You shouldn't be like John Coffey in The Green Mile movie:

🔗

Again, please take care of yourself. You have my email address, and I would love to talk to you if you want. Whatever you need!!!❤️

Warmest hugs and love,

Emma

oooh that analogy is spot on! Not saying that Lauren is an enormous mystical black man of course!

Don't be a John Coffey Lauren! You've earned our love and respect for over a decade by all accounts.

[tgirlamg]

Lauren!... I am always sending the best hopes and wishes your way girl and hoping you can feel all the love you send out around here reflected right back at you!💕🤗💕

One thing,of many, that makes me happy in my day is when my husband brings me my coffee in bed in the morning because I am trapped by our kitties laying on me and I don't want to disturb them... A great start to the day! 💕😺😺😺💕

Hugs and Lotsa Love Sister!

A💕

[davina61]

Not so much rock, went to the local rock festival a few years ago to meet someone and there was a band on with some plonker just screaming and shouting down the microphone. Most other music I like, I still listen to Radio 1.

[Lori Dee ✅]

I think you know what trips my trigger.

😁

And as Charlotte pointed out, it isn't quantity but quality. And you are one quality babe. Every post you make is heartfelt and supportive. You give so much to all of us. Always have. So, don't think you must be here to give more. It's okay for you to show up and receive the love we give you.

[Sephirah]

(((HUGS!)))

My kitties.  Two of them are ex-feral and one is a former stray.  The former stray understands about houses, though we think his last home might not have been very nice for him. 

The two ex-feral boys (they are still pretty feral, actually), Clifford and Winkle, can't quite figure out why they live indoors now.  They are extremely smart, and have adapted well.  They are a tightly-bonded pair.  It makes me go all mushy inside seeing them grooming each other.  They are just so sweet together.  They don't quite trust us humans completely, but they prefer to be around us.  After six years, I can pat them exactly once per day, no more. 

The former stray, Dibley, was obviously an only cat at his previous home.  He had no idea how to behave around other cats.  The other two have gradually settled him down, and they mostly get along fine now. It was not just familiarity that settled him down: they were clearly actively teaching him.  Any time Dibley would get into a fight with Winkle, Clifford would come over, even from the next room, and get between them to break it up.

Seeing that intelligence and love among the cats definitely makes me smile.

That is awesome, Kathy. As someone who took in shelter dogs, I have immense respect and undying admiration for anyone willing to give any animal a loving home. That's right up there on my list of endearing traits someone can have.

Much love to you and your kitties! Although... when I hear the name Dibley, I can't help thinking of a show we had over here called "Red Dwarf". One of the characters... ironically the supposed evolution of felines, called "Kat", was turned into a character called "Duane Dibley." I am curious if that's where the name comes from, haha.

🔗

The times I get to be Kellie

May you have many more of those times, Kellie! <3

Lauren, you have been such a huge support to so many of us. Please take care of yourself.  I wish I could reflect back just a portion of the positive energy you shared with me. That love and support should not come at a cost to you.  You shouldn't be like John Coffey in The Green Mile movie:

🔗

Again, please take care of yourself. You have my email address, and I would love to talk to you if you want. Whatever you need!!!❤️

Warmest hugs and love,

Emma

That movie always makes me cry. Always. I end up sobbing like a babe by the end. Thank you, Emma. <3

oooh that analogy is spot on! Not saying that Lauren is an enormous mystical black man of course!

Don't be a John Coffey Lauren! You've earned our love and respect for over a decade by all accounts.

I mean, if I were a guy, Michael Clarke Duncan would be up there on the list of aspirations, haha.

Lauren!... I am always sending the best hopes and wishes your way girl and hoping you can feel all the love you send out around here reflected right back at you!💕🤗💕

One thing,of many, that makes me happy in my day is when my husband brings me my coffee in bed in the morning because I am trapped by our kitties laying on me and I don't want to disturb them... A great start to the day! 💕😺😺😺💕

Hugs and Lotsa Love Sister!

A💕

Kittie jail sounds quite adorable, haha. Thank you Ash. Love you, sweetie. <3

Not so much rock, went to the local rock festival a few years ago to meet someone and there was a band on with some plonker just screaming and shouting down the microphone. Most other music I like, I still listen to Radio 1.

I mean... isn't that most bands these days? Or am I just getting old? Haha. I haven't listened to Radio 1 since the times of Chris Moyles. That seems like a lifetime ago.

I think you know what trips my trigger.

😁

And as Charlotte pointed out, it isn't quantity but quality. And you are one quality babe. Every post you make is heartfelt and supportive. You give so much to all of us. Always have. So, don't think you must be here to give more. It's okay for you to show up and receive the love we give you.

Awww, thank you, Lori. You know I love you, too. <3

All of you folks are remarkable. I don't deserve you. Thank you. Sincerely. <3

...

Storm Dave is supposed to be happening tonight in the UK. That's the least scary name for a Storm I've ever heard. I am expecting it to be followed by "Menacing Fog Nigel" and "Slightly Damp Spell Colin."

It's been a bit blowy here, but nothing close to the doom-mongering you see in the media. "Charge your phones! Buy sleeping bags! Send your children to live in an underground bunker! If you don't have children, hire some and send them to an underground bunker!" You know the deal.

I am sure it's probably going to be bad for some folks, though. And my thoughts are with them.

[Stottie Girl]

That is awesome, Kathy. As someone who took in shelter dogs, I have immense respect and undying admiration for anyone willing to give any animal a loving home. That's right up there on my list of endearing traits someone can have.

Much love to you and your kitties! Although... when I hear the name Dibley, I can't help thinking of a show we had over here called "Red Dwarf". One of the characters... ironically the supposed evolution of felines, called "Kat", was turned into a character called "Duane Dibley." I am curious if that's where the name comes from, haha.

🔗

May you have many more of those times, Kellie! <3

That movie always makes me cry. Always. I end up sobbing like a babe by the end. Thank you, Emma. <3

I mean, if I were a guy, Michael Clarke Duncan would be up there on the list of aspirations, haha.
Kittie jail sounds quite adorable, haha. Thank you Ash. Love you, sweetie. <3

I mean... isn't that most bands these days? Or am I just getting old? Haha. I haven't listened to Radio 1 since the times of Chris Moyles. That seems like a lifetime ago.
Awww, thank you, Lori. You know I love you, too. <3

All of you folks are remarkable. I don't deserve you. Thank you. Sincerely. <3

...

Storm Dave is supposed to be happening tonight in the UK. That's the least scary name for a Storm I've ever heard. I am expecting it to be followed by "Menacing Fog Nigel" and "Slightly Damp Spell Colin."

It's been a bit blowy here, but nothing close to the doom-mongering you see in the media. "Charge your phones! Buy sleeping bags! Send your children to live in an underground bunker! If you don't have children, hire some and send them to an underground bunker!" You know the deal.

I am sure it's probably going to be bad for some folks, though. And my thoughts are with them.

I hope you bought 58 loo rolls Lauren. It's an emergency you know.

Joking aside, spare a thought for poor Tills in her new home. I think the West Coast of Scotland is where it will be worst. Our American chums will probably laugh as it's only 90mph winds but for us, that's extreme!

[Sephirah]

I hope you bought 58 loo rolls Lauren. It's an emergency you know.

Joking aside, spare a thought for poor Tills in her new home. I think the West Coast of Scotland is where it will be worst. Our American chums will probably laugh as it's only 90mph winds but for us, that's extreme!

Quite extreme, yes. And I sincerely hope it isn't as bad as they say it's going to be. Scotland seems to get battered quite a lot. I can hear the wind outside now. It's something I rather love to listen to. Especially when it's howling. That probably makes me abnormal. It's when the neighbours' bins go rolling down the road that I start to get a bit concerned.

I am fully stocked with Andrex puppies, though, haha.

[tgirlamg]

I had to look up Andrex Puppy! 😀👍💕🐶💕

[Lori Dee ✅]

Our American chums will probably laugh as it's only 90mph winds but for us, that's extreme!

90 mph is nothing to dismiss.

I lived in the Midwest (Tornado Alley) for decades. 40 mph on a daily basis was not unusual. Gusts up to 60 mph were annoying, but fairly common. 90 mph will blow trucks off the road!

Poor Tills. I hope her new home keeps its roof.

[Stottie Girl]

90 mph is nothing to dismiss.

I lived in the Midwest (Tornado Alley) for decades. 40 mph on a daily basis was not unusual. Gusts up to 60 mph were annoying, but fairly common. 90 mph will blow trucks off the road!

Poor Tills. I hope her new home keeps its roof.

Yeah the UK is pretty windy. 40-60 mph winds are very common, above that maybe only a few times a year but it's damaging winds alright.

[Dawn Kellie]

I hope you bought 58 loo rolls Lauren. It's an emergency you know.

Joking aside, spare a thought for poor Tills in her new home. I think the West Coast of Scotland is where it will be worst. Our American chums will probably laugh as it's only 90mph winds but for us, that's extreme!

90mph is no joke, even for those of us in hurricane prone areas. Especially for areas that aren't prepared for it. Stay away from the window, a battery powered light siurve and have plenty of water on stand by. Power lines have a bad habit of being blown down.

[Sephirah]

I had to look up Andrex Puppy! 😀👍💕🐶💕

Haha. <3 Was kind of a whole advertising thing here for a while. Utterly adorable. Back when ads were largely wholesome.

I don't think it's anywhere close to that here right now. The wind is kind of howling, though. I think probably these speeds are expected on the tops of our "mountains" (read large hills) in the Scottish Highlands.

But for everyone who is dealing with more than that... be safe, okay? Apparently it's going to batter the west of the country more. Which is usually the case as we get these things barrelling in across the Atlantic. They even have snow warnings in Scotland.

[big kim]

69mph gusts in Thornton, Lancashire. I'm a couple of miles inland of the sea and in a first floor flat so should be OK. There's a flood warning too

[KathyLauren]

when I hear the name Dibley, I can't help thinking of a show we had over here called "Red Dwarf". One of the characters... ironically the supposed evolution of felines, called "Kat", was turned into a character called "Duane Dibley." I am curious if that's where the name comes from, haha.

Actually, it comes from the Vicar of Dibley.

My wife keeps a list of potential cat names.  Dibley came from the list, because she liked the sound of it.  It kind of fits him.  Clifford and Winkle didn't come from the list. 

Clifford got his name because it is a nerdy name, and he is a nerdy cat.  My wife says he acts like an accountant.  I can actually see what she means, although I can't explain it.  He is a nerd, and he looks like a Clifford.  He mutters under his breath when he walks around the house.

Winkle got his name because he only has one eye.  When he was rescued, one eye was badly infected, and they had to remove it.  Having only one eye doesn't slow him down in the least.  He used to climb trees before he became an indoor cat, and he loved to hunt birds.

[Charlotte Kitty ✅]

I can hear everything bashing around in the wind outside here! Was getting blown about walking in Birmingham too. Hope you all stay safe. Gladly indoors here.

[Stottie Girl]

Yeah ok, the winds have suddenly got a bit wild here now, windows shaking a bit with the gusts. There was an almighty crashing sound from the furniture shop yard next door. I think something has been smashed up in their yard. Buggered if I'm going out in the dark to check ha ha!

[Sephirah]

Actually, it comes from the Vicar of Dibley.

That was my second guess, haha. Pretty good comedy series. I have a soft spot for Dawn French.

My wife keeps a list of potential cat names.  Dibley came from the list, because she liked the sound of it.  It kind of fits him.  Clifford and Winkle didn't come from the list. 

Clifford got his name because it is a nerdy name, and he is a nerdy cat.  My wife says he acts like an accountant.  I can actually see what she means, although I can't explain it.  He is a nerd, and he looks like a Clifford.  He mutters under his breath when he walks around the house.

Winkle got his name because he only has one eye.  When he was rescued, one eye was badly infected, and they had to remove it.  Having only one eye doesn't slow him down in the least.  He used to climb trees before he became an indoor cat, and he loved to hunt birds.

Haha I love the idea of a nerdy cat. That makes me giggle.

"Do you realise this litter doesn't meet the national health and safety standards of what is acceptable for cats of a certain age? I will have to write a strongly worded letter to your owner, encouraging them in the strongest possible terms to accommodate their feline compatriots in their need for waste management. I do not take this lightly. Twelve pencils in my shirt pocket are testament to my seriousness in this matter."

I can hear everything bashing around in the wind outside here! Was getting blown about walking in Birmingham too. Hope you all stay safe. Gladly indoors here.

Charlotte, you're a Brummie? I don't want to presume, but if so, that's AWESOME.

Yeah ok, the winds have suddenly got a bit wild here now, windows shaking a bit with the gusts. There was an almighty crashing sound from the furniture shop yard next door. I think something has been smashed up in their yard. Buggered if I'm going out in the dark to check ha ha!

Stay safe, Sarah. You are more north than I am. Tie everything down if you can, okay?

[KathyLauren]

The wind is kind of howling, though.

I can hear everything bashing around in the wind outside here!

Yeah ok, the winds have suddenly got a bit wild here now, windows shaking a bit with the gusts.

I hope you all have your storm chips on hand!  "Storm chips" are a Nova Scotia thing: we stock up on potato chips (I believe you Brits call them "crisps") before a storm, for no apparent reason.  If you are going to go out to get them, be sure to put some rocks in your pockets so you won't get blown away.

Seriously, stay safe!

[KathyLauren]

"Do you realise this litter doesn't meet the national health and safety standards of what is acceptable for cats of a certain age? I will have to write a strongly worded letter to your owner, encouraging them in the strongest possible terms to accommodate their feline compatriots in their need for waste management. I do not take this lightly. Twelve pencils in my shirt pocket are testament to my seriousness in this matter."

LOL!! Yup, that's Clifford! 😂

[Sephirah]

Yeah chips are something else in the UK, Kathy.

I am kind of on a diet right now, so I don't really do crisps. Even though back in my navy days I had somewhat of an addiction to Pringles. Once I popped, I couldn't stop, haha. Was a sucker for the cheese variety. In the orange cans. They got me through some 3am ironing sessions during basic training. Once I was deployed it wasn't as much of a thing but I remember them fondly. They are like food heroin. It's quite strange.

I can see the sense in it though. Calorie dense foods to keep you going.