Tag Archives: Volunteering

A Challenging few Weeks w/New & Refreshed Lessons Learned Along the Way

Posted on by Gertie

Happy Caturday Saturday. It has been quite a couple of weeks of being challenging for me for various reasons and many of them I have had to deal with some eighth deaths in a matter of a two week period. Some of the folks I have never met but really admired in the animal welfare community especially locally here in the Seattle area who touched the life of many humans and cats. Sadly this person took her own life and wish I would have been given to meet her in person. She will be greatly missed especially in the animal welfare community.

On the continuation of discussing death. I can’t really discuss much about it due to HiPAA law but many of the client I work with overdose on drugs and alcohol. Sadly some pass away to drug and/or alcohol overdoses and It is challenging to deal with. Thankfully I have the support of my colleagues with this especially when people have been trying to get off drugs so they don’t have to have a stigma with an addiction.

Dealing with so many deaths is the last couple of weeks I have been reaching out to my support system such as my friends, family and my colleagues as well as my therapist. I am just beyond grateful that I have supportive people in my life to be there for me. Not many people have a good support system and I have a great support system.

Now on to what I do to help with my self care. One way I do self care is due at least two mindful meditations daily; once in the morning and another one before bed time. I am also trying to put in third mindful mediation in the middle of a work day to help me refocus during work. Another way I have been doing self care is spending time with my cat as well as walking two times a day; once in the morning and once the evening. Of course another self care act is going to volunteer at PAWS Cat City a least once a week. Of course working at my job helps as well. I have been reading a lot of books that I find helpful to help with my recovery journey. I also have been doing some art work and hope to show sometime soon.

As this post comes to an end just know there is always hope along the way. I want to thank you for reading my blog. If it was not for you reading and/or following my blog, I most likely would be continuing to writing my blog. Again thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out World!!!!

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Weekly Check-In

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! It is officially that time of week where I do my weekly check in. This past week has been a pretty good week. My current work schedule changed and I now work Sunday through Thursday. I have mixed feelings about it but once I get used to it, I know it will work to not just my benefit but the benefit of the clients I serve. I really like my job. I am, however, wondering if I am doing a good job as well as if I am a good fit for the team I am on. I know I am being self conscious about how I do at work. My supervisor says it’s “imposter syndrome.”

I may not be sure if what my boss says about the imposter syndrome thing, I know that I am doing well overall in regards to my mental health challenges. I, saw my therapist on Tuesday. It went well. She also emailed my psychiatric nurse practitioner stating how well I am doing mental health wise.

Speaking of my psychiatric nurse practitioner, I saw her yesterday. She too thinks I am doing well. So well that if I continue doing as well as I am doing, she is going to reduce my antidepressant to a lower dose. A lower dose that will make it, the lowest that it could go that will work effectively. I am excited about this.

One of the things that has been helping with my mental health challenges is volunteering at PAWS Cat City. Due to my work schedule changing, the day, I volunteer changed as well. I now volunteer on Friday mornings. I miss volunteering on Sunday mornings but I will get use to Friday mornings.

In between, working, volunteering and attending appointments, I have been reading. I have been reading a book on tarot cards. I am wanting to learn how to read tarot cards so it can help me with my recovery. I also hope that one day I can help others with their recovery with learning how to read tarot cards. I am slowly learning about tarot cards and am finding it fascinating.

I do not have much more to say about my week. Peace Out, World!!!

Just Another Relaxing Day

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Today has been another relaxing day. I started off today like every Sunday and that is by volunteering at PAWS Cat City. I, of course enjoyed my shift as always. I, sadly am going to have to change the day I volunteer at Cat City due to a change in my work schedule. I have one more Sunday morning shift which is next Sunday, then I will be doing the Friday morning shift starting February 24th. I like the Sunday morning crew as they are awesome.

After my shift at Cat City, I went and bought myself some orange chicken from an Asian restaurant in my neighborhood. I really enjoy this particular restaurant’s orange chicken. I brought home the food and ate it. Billie wanted some of the chicken but I didn’t share with him since it wasn’t plain chicken.

When I was done eating my lunch, I took out my cat tarot cards. I didn’t do a reading but I did start reading the guide that was included with the deck. I am wanting to start doing tarot cards as a form of self care and hope that I can incorporate reading tarot cards into my daily routine.

Something I did in regards to trying to understand tarot cards better is buying a book from Amazon for beginners in tarot cards like me. I am not a big fan of Amazon but I really want to learn more about tarot cards so I can understand what the tarot cards are telling me. I hope the book I am buying is going to be helpful.

I do not have anything else to discuss in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciated from my end of things that you the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

It Has Been a Great Weekend

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! It is barely after six in the evening here in Seattle, Washington. As the title of this blog post states; it has been a great weekend. Actually it has been a pretty awesome weekend. First things first I had a great night sleep on Friday which led me to sleep in on Saturday morning to nine o’clock in the AM. Waking up that late is not very common for me and am beyond grateful for it especially since Billie my cat allowed me to sleep that late. I also had a great night sleep last night, Saturday. I did need to get up at eight in morning this morning (Sunday) so I could attend my regular morning shift volunteering at PAWS Cat City.

Okay, now let’s get back to how awesome yesterday (Saturday) was. I started off sleeping in longer than I normally do especially with a cat that likes to be waking me up an hour or two earlier than nine in morning. Spent the day mostly being able to read a book with my cat, Billie on my lap. Later yesterday (Saturday) afternoon/evening, I spent time volunteering at PAWS Cat City. Saturday afternoon/evening is not my typical shift but every time I do a shift my mood improves even if I am already in a great mood. When I got home from volunteering yesterday (Saturday) afternoon/evening, I of course payed attention my awesome cat, Billie. I then went online and went to Amy Grant’s website to see if she was going to do any Christmas concerts here in the Seattle area. Sadly, she is not however she is going to be on tour next year and will be holding a concert in Bremerton, Washington which is a ferry ride away from Seattle. When I saw that she (Amy Grant) will be in concert in Bremerton on March 14, 2023, I bought a ticket and booked a hotel room. I’m going to be staying in a hotel as I don’t want to worry about missing last ferry of the night back to Seattle. Needless to say I am beyond ecstatic that I will be seeing Amy Grant in concert. On that note, it took me about a half an hour to start calming down with all the excitement of knowing I will be going to an Amy Grant concert so I could continue reading the book I was reading earlier in the day.

Now on to today. I woke up earlier than I wanted due to my cat, Billie, wanting wet food as well as wanting to play. Despite waking up earlier than I desired, I had a really good night sleep. After feeding and playing with Billie, I ate breakfast and got ready for my volunteer shift at PAWS Cat City. I, of course went to my volunteer shift this morning and immensely enjoyed my shift as always. I love volunteering and giving back to my community. I especially love volunteering at PAWS Cat City. After, volunteering I got take out of Orange Chicken from a local Asian restaurant and ate part of it here at home. I will eat the rest after I am done writing and posting this particular blog post. After eating lunch I read some more of the book I was reading yesterday. In fact reading is what I have been doing most of the day and Billie was on my lap a good portion of that time. Now, I am writing this post. In fact I am almost done writing this particular post as I am getting hungry for dinner.

I really do not have much else to say for this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading my blog. It is greatly appreciative from my perspective that you, the reader, read my blog. If it was not for you the reader, reading my blog, I would not be writing my blog. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

No Job Equals No Money

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Actually it is almost past evening as it is just after eight in the evening Seattle time. I’m worried that if I don’t get a job soon that I won’t be able to pay my rent. I just don’t want to lose my subidized housing. I keep keeping interviews but no jobs. I hope that when you read my blog that you press on the advertisements on my blog. It gives me a couple cents here and there but once it hits at least $100 or more I get the money. So it would be greatly appreciatedi if you can pres on my advertisements.

I’m also creating some crafting and artsy stuff to sell to help pay the bills. I hope you can help me with at least clicking the advertisements to help me with money. I need to get at least one underdred dollars for the advertisements.

I am still looking for a job and it’s geting frustrating that I am a “good” candidate but never the one they choose which suck shit.

On that note music, volunteering and educating myself is helping me keep me busy.Leaning new things is always a good thing.

I beg of you pressing my advertizements to help me earn money.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Everyday Inspiration; Day 19: Feature a Guest

Posted on by Gertie
A picture of Billie Dean the Kat who is the featured guest

Good Morning, World!!! I know it is weird to have a cat or any animal as a featured guest on a blog. My plan is to ask him questions and answer them the way I think he would answer them as he were able to speak human and not just meow like the cat he is. Here is the “interview.”

Me: How did we originally meet?

Billie: We met while you doing a regular volunteer shift at PAWS Cat City.

Me: Was it love at first sight for you?

Billie: I think it was love at first sight for the both of us. I know you love my crinkly ear and you can’t deny that.

Me: When you came home with me, how did you feel?

Billie: Do you really need to ask that question? You know I love you unconditionally.

Me: What can I do better as your parent?

Billie: You can feed me at the butt crack of dawn when I ask for it then. Hell, you can feed me whenever I ask for it even if there is still food in the bowl.

Me: You do realize I’m not going to get up at the butt crack of dawn to feed you when I know you have food?

Billie: Yes, but do you remember who runs this home?

Me: Of course I do. You run this home, I just pay the bills.

Billie: I love you but I’m done with this interview. It’s time for another nap.

Weekly Plans

Posted on by Gertie

Sunday

  • Mindfulness Meditation Practice
  • Volunteer at PAWS Cat City
  • Cuddle time with Billie Dean, my cat
  • Reading

Monday

  • Mindfulness Meditation Practice
  • Walk Billie (my cat) around apartment building
  • Work
  • Reading

Tuesday

  • Mindfulness Meditation Practice
  • Walk Billie (my cat) around apartment building
  • Therapy
  • Work
  • Reading

Wednesday

  • Mindfulness Meditation Practice
  • Cuddle time with Billie, my cat
  • Work
  • Reading

Thursday

  • Mindfulness Meditation Practice
  • Cuddle time with Billie my cat
  • Work
  • Volunteer at PAWS Cat City
  • Reading

Friday

  • Mindfulness Meditation Practice
  • Cuddle time with Billie my cat
  • Work
  • Reading

Saturday

  • Mindfulness Meditation Practice
  • Walk Billing my cat around apartment building and cuddle tie
  • Volunteer at PAWS Cat City
  • Reading while cuddling with Billie my cat

Still Sleepless in Seattle

Posted on by Gertie

Good Morning, again, World!!! I am still sleepless in Seattle. Apartment is still cold despite the heat being on full blast but at least its slight warmer than my last post. Despite the lack of sleep, I till plan on volunteering at PAWS Cat City at 9:00am in the morning, Seattle time. I love volunteering especially at PAWS Cats City. I do have say my cat Billie Dean is a wee bit jealous when I get home from volunteering but quickly goes away when he gets treats, cat nip, extra wet food and some play time. Billie is one spoiled cat. I love him so much. Billie and I seem to be going be be reading Wonder Woman Comic Books till I go volunteer. Both of of us seem to be homebodies lately which is good thing.

Well, I guess it’s back to reading Wonder Woman comic books. I have a lot of them plus collectable of Wonder Woman stuff. I hope to talk to you later. Have a Sunday everyone. Peace Out World!!!

Semi-Woe Is Me Moment

Posted on by Gertie

Hello World!!!I went to my volunteer job at PAWS Cat City like I do every Sunday. I had me a great time. I love spending time with kitties waiting for their furrever home.

On that note I got to my floor where one of my neighbors started raising her voice at me. I ignored her and passed by her so I can get to my apartment. Of course I’m greeted my by cat who escaped into the hall way and this neighbor who already yelled at me, started screaming on my cat and myself. I’ve never seen cat so scared and run back to the apartment. It took all my might to not interact with this neighbor.

I spent some time with Billie Dean to calm him down which calmed me down. Which was helpful for the both of us. I went down to the community room to get a soda not know this neighbor has going to be down there doing a puzzle. She screamed at me an called me names that I won’t mention here because I found them offence of and don’t want to offend anyone else. I got my soda and listened to her and I left the community room crying. I did not say anything to her except “I hope you have a good Sunday” and left the community room and came to my apartment. Spent some more time with a Billie Dean my cat which helped.

I then reached out to a neighbor who is a friend so I could get a good reality check and a hug. We talked about twenty minutes and I felt better. The conversation I had with the neighbor I am friends with pointed out that I wouldn’t have taken all this so hard due to my work situation and being laid off with an unknown lay of date. He said “I would be having a woe is me moment if I were in your situation. The only difference is that yours is a semi woe is me moment which is goo for you.” He also suggested the I try to be friends with some of my neighbors which is true.

I do not have much more to say. I just want to say thank you for reading my blog. If it wasn’t for you reading my blog, I would not be writing it. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!

Wanting to Escape from My Own Reality

Posted on by Gertie

Good Evening, World!!! Right now I really want to escape my own reality. The reality of the depression I am dealing with. I personally think the depression I am currently dealing with has something to do with being in quarantine due to Covid-19.

Let’s start with first things first, work helps me not focus on my own reality as I need to make sure the needs of my clients get met. Plus it feels good when a client accomplishes a goal that they have bee working on for a long time. I love being able to walk along side of people who are working on their own personal journey of recovery.

Another thing the helps me escape from my own reality is volunteering at a local animal shelter. Even though I have my own cat to play with it is gratifying to see cats get adopted into a furrever home. Seeing cats adopted is rewarding in itself and I am thrilled to be able to experience that and not just with the cats I have adopted but cats that have been adopted by others.

Another way, I find a way to escape from reality it reading. Reading all sorts of books including comics or comic books. I do have to say be favorite comic book is Wonder Woman and I have my dad to thank for that. Despite my dad loosing his ability to read, he always encouraged me to read. In fact my favorite genre’s of books are science fiction, fantasy and horror books. Since my dad is unable to read due to a traumatic brain injury (TBI), we call each other every evening and I read him books. Doing this has helped mend and heal our issues. We do occasionally read comic books but that is more my thing that my dad’s thing. I am just grateful that reading to my dad is healing our relationship.

Of course I can forget my sweet loving cuddle bug of a cat that helps me escape the realities of what life has to bring. The cat love is unconditional and am grateful for my cat Billie Dean.

Let not forget the most important of escaping reality which is sleep. Sleep can be a major reality escape especially with people dealing with depression and other such mental health diagnosis.

I do not have much more to say in this particular blog post. I do want to thank you for reading m blog as if it wasn’t for you reading my blog, I would not be witting my blog. It is great appreciated from my end of things that you read my blog. Again thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my blog. Peace Out, World!!!