Cat Tales with Laura and Inspirations with Laura

Cleaning Pet Necessities

I clean my pet towers and hammocks with a commercial shop vac and a HEPA filter. I also vacuum the floors with it. I take my litterboxes outdoors, disassemble them, and clean them with dish soap and a firm-bristled brush. Then, I let them dry, put them back together, and ensure they are still working correctly. If they can be cleaned, washing their pet toys and towels in a washing machine is a good idea. I have a special washing machine just for my cats. If the toys are falling apart, please throw them away and try to replace them with a similar toy, especially if it was one of your cat’s favorite toys. I wash off the outside of their heated beds and vacuum the heated mat covering, or wash it if it comes off the heating pad. I have a small steam cleaner that cleans the floors, or I wash them with a mop and a floor cleaning solution that is not toxic if a cat licks the floor before it dries completely.

House Cleaning

I start upstairs and work my way down. Ensure you have plenty of cleaning clothes, brushes, a dust mop, a broom, a shop vac, bathroom cleaners, window cleaners, laundry detergent, floor polish, car cleaning supplies, a dust cloth, and more. I finish one room before I move onto another. I also practice getting rid of something every time I clean. If you have not used something in ten years, get rid of it; chances are you will never use it or need it again. Have a system for cleaning, such as dusting before you mop and cleaning the floors. If you want to, now is a good time to rid your home of clothes, cooking supplies, books, furniture, small appliances, and other things you are just cleaning around but not using. Sell stuff you do not use or donate if they are in good shape, or put them in the garbage if worn out or unusable. If a room is a catch-all room, eliminate most of what is in there, and you will be glad you did. Do not keep too much stuff for your children, or others should not have to deal with a mountain of things to dispose of when you die.

Cleaning Outdoor Buildings

It is a good idea to sweep the dirt and leaves from your garage floor, take everything out of your garage, and get rid of what got put in there that you do not need. I have also washed and mopped my garage floor. I get all of the cobwebs swept down in outdoor buildings, and sweep the floors with a broom. If you see cracks in a building, now is a good time to patch them before they get more prominent, and if you see any rotten wood, repair it with new wood.

SUV Cleaning

Wash and polish your car at least once a year with a top-quality wax, protecting it from the salt they put on the roads in the winter months. Also, wash and clean the floor mats, check tire pressure and fluid levels, and clean up any oil leaks you may see on the concrete in your garage. I put kitty litter on the oil mark and then Krud Cutter cleaner, and the floor looks terrific once again. I vacuum the seats or put a leather conditioner on them and dust off everything in the SUV. I like Armour All products.

Getting Mold Off

A pressure washer works well for getting rid of mold. Put a mold killer in the water tank. Pressure washers are also suitable for cleaning cement, dirt, and grime off a house before you paint it. Wait until the house is dry before you apply the paint. I hope your cleaning projects go as planned and you eliminate some things you have not used in many years.

Tags cleaning pet supplies, cleaning supplies, general cleaning, have a set pattern to your cleaning

Helping Hands Make A Difference

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date May 16, 2025
No Comments on Helping Hands Make A Difference

Many Helping Hands

When people gather and fill food baskets or give cans of food to food banks, it helps many people’s lives throughout your community and the world. Making quilts and mats for missions gives the gift of warmth, and the mats are suitable for people to sleep on instead of on the ground. Buying something a woman made in a foreign country might help her feed her family for a month or more. Many hands that work together can transform the lives of many people worldwide. Idle hands get nothing done, and nothing gets accomplished. Do not let your hands be idle; use them to help improve the lives of those less fortunate. When you give money to a mission that teaches young children, who knows what the students might accomplish that could maybe transform the world for the betterment of all? A challenging job becomes more manageable when many people work on completing the same project, which may never be completed if only one person worked. God uses us to be his helping hands by teaching others about God and by reaching out to those who are downtrodden, lifting their spirits, and inviting them to our church service with us. If you see someone in need, offer to help them out. Give random gifts now and then to random people, as it will help brighten their day. Talk and listen to people; they may be lonely or need someone to listen to their cares and concerns and offer advice. People living alone will generally not ask for help as they tend to do it independently. Giving is much better than receiving and much more rewarding when you see the joy and glimmer of hope on their face. Many hands are caring and hands that God has put on earth to help others enjoy life and improve their life.

Hands Communicate How You Feel Towards Others

A gentle touch of your hand shows love. A rushed hand shows a lack of complete love or concern. If you are caring for someone and are gentle, it shows respect and love. If you give someone a bath and rush and get it over right away, you do not care about them as you did not spend the care you would have in cleaning yourself. God’s hands show respect to all of his children, and he takes a lot of time with his healing hands when it comes to every one of us. Waving to someone shows that you will miss them when they are gone. Waving at your followers as a President, King, or Queen shows them that you acknowledge their presence and are glad you support them as their leader. Sign language lets people who cannot talk communicate their needs and wants to others. If your hands do not do quality work, it is because you do not care. God makes sure his hands heal us and transform us in many positive ways throughout our entire lives.

Tags helping hands, Inspirations with Laura

Mothers Day

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day And God

When we are very young, our Mothers nurture us and care for our every need, instilling specific values that will take us far. If we fall and scrape our knees, they comfort us while we cry, tend to our wounds, and make us feel much better. My Mother would read a book to me until I fell sound asleep at night. As teenagers, our Mothers have a lot of patience with us, as all teenagers tend to rebel at least a little. Mothers never stop caring for us until they take their last breath on earth, and I think their soul somehow knows what is happening in our lives. God protects us 24/7 and keeps us safe from harm, as he constantly tries to lead us in the right direction if we listen. Things will happen in nature that are part of life; we will suffer the loss of loved ones and some harrowing experiences in our lives. We should never blame God for the death of a loved one, as some things are just part of nature, and there is a time to be born and a time to die. God and our Mother protect us, but no one can protect you from all harm. God and your Mother will try to conquer all evil that comes your way to keep you happy and safe in life, and they want you to enjoy life to its full potential.

What I Remember About My Mother

My Mother was always there for me and was very kind, caring, and compassionate. When we shopped for clothes, she would pick out beautiful clothes for me. Mothers set rules for us to help us in life, just as God has the Ten Commandments to help us lead the right kind of life. She taught me to reach out to people and put myself in their place. When I was sick, she would stay up all night long with me if necessary. My Mother was brilliant. I could almost ask her any question, and she would have the answer for me. We can ask God for answers to our questions, and all we have to do is find a passage in the Bible that pertains to what we need and find the answer to our questions. Thank your Mother for all she does for you in your life, as she only wants the best for you. A Mother raises a child so that they can stand on their own someday, and a child who will make her proud.

Praise Your Mother And GoD

Being A Mother is not an easy job. You have to change dirty diapers, deal with a rebellious teenager at times, and break up fights between siblings. Your Mother most likely works outside of your home, and after a long day of work, she is tired, but she cooks meals, cleans, and tends to the needs of her children and husband. God knew that our Mother would protect her children even at the cost of her own life. God died on the cross so that we may never die from our sins. We should praise our Mothers and God, for you are truly blessed to be loved and protected by them.

Exodus 20:12

Psalms 139: 13 thru 14

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my Mother’s womb.

I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Proverbs:1:8 31:20:26:31

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy Mother.

She strecheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth her hands to the needy.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Give her the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her at the gates.

Isaiah 66:13

As one whom his Mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

Tags . Heal, Inspirations with Laura, Mothers day, Nurture, Protect, Scriptures

Things You Should Never Let Your Cat Play With

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date May 5, 2025
No Comments on Things You Should Never Let Your Cat Play With

Office Supplies And More

Never let your cat play with rubber bands, as they may eat them. If a rubber band gets lodged in the intestine, your cat may need surgery to remove the rubber band. String-to-tie packages are also hazardous; if your cat swallows a large amount, it will cause a blockage. If you try to pull the string out of your cat’s throat, you will probably see a lot of blood on the string. If you see your cat swallowing a string, take him to your Vet ASAP, as they will know how to safely remove the string from your cat’s throat, stomach, or intestines. Never let your cat near paper clips or springs out of ballpoint pens, as these could cause tearing or ripping when swallowed; Christmas tree tinsel is also very dangerous, along with the treated water under your Christmas tree. Never let your cat near your houseplants; some are poisonous if your cat eats a leaf or flower. Tiger Lilies and tulips are poisonous if your cat eats them and other outdoor flowers.. Once, a woman was knitting and finally noticed her cat eating the yarn. Luckily, she took her cat to her Vet ASAP, as her cat’s stomach was full of yarn. Her Vet told her if she had not brought in her cat when she did, he would have been dead by morning.

Cleaning Supplies

Ensure you store your toilet bowl brush where your cat cannot lick it, as the chemicals in the brush could kill your cat. Do not leave paint brushes or rollers out because your cat might think the paint is an excellent drink. Never leave oil, antifreeze, and any other chemicals out. Make sure you have chemicals safely stored.

Do Not Let Your Cat Play With Any Wild Animals

Outdoor cats will let opossums, raccoons, and skunks share their food dish. One time, one of our outdoor cats fought with a skunk, and the skunk bit out a small area on her face. Luckily, she healed quickly and did not get rabies. Wild animals and house pets do not mix. Coyotes eat cats, and Bald Eagles will fly off with them and eat them later on. Always keep all your indoor pets in the house because you never know what kind of wild animal is outdoors that could kill or injure your cat badly.

Tom Cats

Some Tom cats that come to your property are friendly and well-mannered, while others will fight tooth and nail for their place on the totem pole. I had a tomcat come who tried to kill all three resident Toms. My Toms finally won, leaving them with a few battle scars. Some Toms are nasty to your female cats as they keep biting them, and your cat has blood all over its neck. Have a safe area where your resident cats can hide if an intruder, Tom Cat, enters your place.

Small Objects

We do not let small children play with small objects as they are a choking hazard. The same goes for your cats. Small objects can get lodged in the windpipe, and your cat could die instantly. Keep track of your medicine and vitamins, and if you drop one on the floor, keep looking for it until you find it, because if your cat finds it first, it will kill your cat. If your cat does swallow a human pill, call your Vet ASAP and tell them the name of the pill that your cat swallowed, and do precisely what your Vet tells you to do because time is of the essence. Keep dangerous objects and things away from your pets at all times. I hope you and your cats have many happy and healthy days ahead.

Tags cat dangers, Cat Emergency, Do not let your cat play with that

Life's Happenings

Life’s Happenings

Memorable Moments

All of us will have many memorable moments in our lifetime. Some moments will be very happy and some will be very sad. Remembering the special moments that stand out will comfort you through the sad moments. When you graduate, get your first job, get married, have children, and travel, these will be happy moments indeed. When a loved one dies, we are very sad, and there will be moments when we cry because our loved one is not here on earth anymore. We must remember that if they were in pain or life was getting hard for them, they are in heaven now, where there is no suffering or pain anymore. I hope you have many memorable moments to look forward to. Never let past tragedies deny you a happy and fulfilled future.

Pets

Pets bring a lot of happiness into their owners’ lives. When you get home from work, your pets greet you. They may wag their tail and wish to play ball with you or walk with you. Cats love to sit on your lap or curl up next to you in bed and gently purr away. Cats love it if you have various cat toys to play with. Pets instinctively know when you are not feeling well and will do their best to comfort you. Pets have been known to grieve for days after the passing of their owner. Cats may not eat for several days. A dog once went to the cemetery daily and lay on the grave where his master had died. We had a pet parakeet that would not eat while we were on vacation, and when we returned, he started eating again immediately.

Life And God

Your relationship with God is your most important relationship in life. If your relationship with God is not good, you cannot retain any good relationships with anyone else in your life. God has set an example for us on how to lead a good life; if we do not follow it, our lives will be doomed. To have a happy and fulfilled life, you must put God first. God put us first as his son Jesus died on the cross so that we may be forgiven for our sins and have eternal life.

Family And Friends

Over the years, you will have many lovely and memorable moments with your family and friends. You will have wonderful family gatherings for anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, holidays, and picnics. Traveling and discovering new places, scenery, foods, historical events, and sites add to the spice of life’s happenings. Hold your family and friends close and never take them for granted. Let them know you love and respect them, and hold them dear in life’s happenings. God bless you, and I hope you will be blessed through your life with God, family, and friends by your side in all of life’s happenings. Sing praises to God daily.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, memorable moment's, pets, Travel

Cats And Other Pets

My Cat, Dog, And Goat

Our cat became best friends with our small dog, a miniature lab, rat terrier, and dash hound. She even had her kittens in the dog house. Jitters would babysit the kittens and care for them when Tabatha hunted for mice in our ditch. Even when the kittens were fully grown, they still lived cozily in the dog house with our dog. They formed a hunting party. One time, Jitters caught the mouse, and Tabatha got it away from her as she wanted that mouse so she could teach her kittens how to catch and kill a mouse. One of her kittens let go of the mouse, and Jitters ate it up, and we saw the tail disappear down her throat. It was interesting to watch the cats and the kittens, followed by our dog, coming out of the dog house every morning. Jitters and the cats would share the table scraps, but they each had their own types of dry food. As time passed, I got a pet miniature goat named Zachary. I put him in a building with two cats for a month when I first got him. He loved the cats and our dog Jitters. They would run up and down the deck chasing each other, and Zach would jump up on the windowsill and watch us eat breakfast in the morning. The trio formed a hunting party. Jitters and Tabatha caught mice, and Zach ate the leftover corn that the combine did not pick up. One day, they wandered away from home, and a woman herded Zach and Jitters back to our place. Tabatha returned on her own, as you cannot herd a cat.

Sugar, The Siamese Cat, And Perry The Parakeet

I adopted Sugar when she was 8 years old, and she became very good friends with Perry, our Parakeet. She was used to birds, as the party I got her from once had birds in their home. She would lie on the bed in the bedroom where we kept Perry, listen to him sing, and then leave and do her own thing. One time, another cat came over and intended that perhaps Perry was her lunch. Sugar laid into her, and the fur did fly, so to speak. Sugar was devastated when Perry died, and she enjoyed his singing and having the company of another pet in the house.

Pets Can Get Along With Most Other Pets If Introduced Properly

I had one cat that liked mice, as I had adopted him from a Vet. The Vet could not have a cat that would perhaps eat a person’s pet mouse in the office. I had an outdoor cat that was now a house cat, and she had a Bluejay in her mouth. I told her to drop it now, and she did, and the bird was safe and unscathed. Introduce your pets when they are very young to any other type of animal you may want them to get along with in the future, and they should be able to live in perfect harmony then. Introduce them slowly, let them smell each other, and say a firm no if you do not like a particular behavior.

Tags Cat and other pet relationships, Whats Upsetting My Cat ?

Running On Empty

Do You Feel Like You Are Running On Empty?

Some days, we have too many irons in the fire and feel burned out. It is OK to slow down and work at a slower pace. After all, slow and steady wins the race said the tortoise to the hare. Try to keep a list of things that have to get done, and try to stick to the list if your health permits you to do so. I have my lawn mowers serviced at the end of the year so they are ready to run next year. If something needs fixing in your home, have it serviced ASAP so you will not have a mile-long list of things that need to be repaired in or outside your home. Do not commit to more things than you know you can handle, no matter how much someone pushes you. I know some middle-aged people who live alone, and they have to mow their lawn and keep everything repaired on their own, and they do not have time to volunteer, as they have too many things to do on their own. When you are happily married, you share in getting things done around your home; it does not just land on one person. Everyone does not have time to do extra activities due to health, and depending on what falls on their shoulders, they have to do.

God And Faith

If you do not have God or Faith, you run on empty, and the fumes will not carry you through life. You need God to carry on and sustain you. Without God and Faith in your life, you are nothing. God gives us a high-octane fuel that will help carry us through any storm in our lives. God completes me by giving me ultimate joy, hope, peace, love, and the promise of eternal life. God’s light shines on the whole world, so let your light shine brightly for the entire world to see. Faith has sustained me in many ways. One woman told me that she would not be alive without her faith. God is a constant friend for anyone who wants God in their life and reaches out to God in prayer and song. Thank you, God, for my many blessings. Rejoice and be happy with the Lord by your side.

People Who See All The Negatives And Overlook The Positives In Life

You are genuinely blessed if you are healthy and blessed with good friends and family. If people only dwell on the bad times in their lives and don’t remember the extraordinary good times, they are not living life to its fullest potential. Travel while you can, as traveling with your husband or a good friend is truly a blessing. Look for the beauty in God’s creation. Look at the majestic mountains, God’s great and small creatures, and how each has unique characteristics and different personalities. Every one of us completes God’s puzzle as our lives fill in the spots on the puzzle for a specific purpose while we are here on earth.

Tags faith, Inspirations with Laura, positive outlook on life, Worn out

My Springtime Plants

Early Garden Vegetables

I generally plant lettuce, spinach, and Swiss chard in April. I add fertilizer to the garden soil and work up the ground with my garden tiller. My garden rows are 30 inches apart, so I can quickly till between them. I plant my seeds shallow so they will not have trouble coming up if we get a lot of rainfall that packs the soil. April is also a good time to plant radishes, beets, carrots, peas, potatoes, onions, kale, and turnips. I plant my tomatoes on May 10th, butternut squash, and green bean seeds. You can plant more green bean seeds on May 25th if you wish to do so. Thank you, God, for the seeds that turn into excellent food for us to eat year-round. Tending to your garden is a joy as you watch the fruits of your labor flourish. Gardening is a fantastic exercise for you and has many health benefits.

Springtime Flowers

I enjoy looking at our tulips and the flowers on our Magnolia tree. I appreciate the early crocuses and daffodils. I love looking at the blossoms on our old Bartlett pear tree and the crabapple trees. The Red Bud tree flowers open a little later in the season but are also truly beautiful. The tulip festival in Pella, Iowa, is lovely to look at. They have wonderful places to eat and fantastic candy stores with almond letters. I love to look at the early flowers in the parks and look for morel mushrooms.

Planting Trees

Now is the time to plant fruit, shade, evergreens, and ornamental trees. Make sure you open up the root ball before you plant your new trees. An open root ball will ensure a healthier tree with room for its roots to expand and grow, and soak up the moisture in the soil quickly. Water your new trees as recommended by your greenhouse.

Freezing Excess Vegetables

I love to freeze lots of green beans as they are good to eat in winter. I also freeze squash, Swiss chard, spinach, tomatoes, and raspberries. I used to freeze pumpkin, cherry, gooseberry, currant, and mulberry pies.. I also froze several rhubarb crisps.

Springtime Brings All Kinds Of Beauty Back To Life

Once again, our lawns look green, plush, and lovely, and we keep them manicured by mowing and weed-whacking around trees and bushes. We hear birds singing with glee every morning, or when the sun is shining, Robins look for worms, and generally they succeed in unearthing one for a tasty meal. Many animals are born in the spring and enjoy eating the long grasses and their regular feed. God’s beauty is found everywhere we look. Thank you, God, for the beauty you have put in the world for us to see and appreciate.

Tags flowers, gardening, tips, Trees, vegetables

Problems That Can Arise After Adding A new Cat to Your Household

Problems That Can Arise After Adding A New Cat To Your Household

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date April 14, 2025
No Comments on Problems That Can Arise After Adding A New Cat To Your Household

Cats Are Territorial Creatures

Adding a new cat to your household can cause significant stress to your resident cats. Your cat wants to remain in charge, and if he sees the newcomer as a great treat, he may stop eating or using the litterbox. Most cats should overcome these factors after one month; if not, take your cat to your vet to rule out serious health issues. Some cats will vomit what they eat because they are so stressed out that the new cat may take their position in your home. Cats are genuinely very jealous creatures, and it is more than they can bear to see you give out love to a new cat. Your cats may have hissing and growling matches to make the others think I am big and strong, and you better not tread on me.

Your Cats May Become More Aloof

Your new cat or resident cats may hide more and not want to be as close to you as they once were because they feel betrayed or left out. Your cats might start sleeping under furniture and not on your bed like they used to. Lavish more love on your resident cats and pat your new cat when they are not watching. Never stop treating your cats like you used to before the new cat entered your home. Your cats may stop coming when you place food out for them. If your cat seems afraid to eat, stay next to your cat while you feed him to reassure him he will not be harmed by the new cat while eating.

Time To Start Training Your New Cat

When I see my new cat jump on the countertop or table, I say no, no, get down, and he will right away. Be consistent in what you want your cat to do so he does not get mixed signals from you. Do not be wishy-washy and say, “Oh, isn’t that cute?” if you see them on the table, and then the next minute, you say no, get down from there. Even human children have to have consistent boundaries set. If your cat refuses to use the litterbox, remember if you have three cats, you should have three litterboxes out. We do not like dirty toilets, and our cats do not like litterboxes. Never hit or slap a cat, as that is animal cruelty and is not acceptable in any circumstances. Be kind and loving, as it takes time to learn something new. Learning something new takes us longer than usual if we are stressed, worried, and upset. Be kind and loving with your new feline friend, and be committed to your cat forever.

Hopefully, Your Cats Have Accepted Each Other

I hope your cats see that you love them equally and that there are no favorites. If your cats do not eat like they used to or refuse to accept the new cat, you may want to move him to an entirely different area of your home, away from your resident cats. If he is aggressive toward them, you may want to rehome him. A friend may care for and love your new cat if he is sweet and loving. If cats are introduced correctly, they usually form close friendships and live in perfect harmony.

Tags Introducing a New Cat Into Your Home, not eating, vomiting, Whats Upsetting My Cat ?

Exclusions

If You Are Excluded From An Activity

Sometimes, you will not care if you are excluded from an activity; other times, you will. If all your friends are invited to an activity and you are not, you wonder why you were excluded. You may feel bad, especially if one of them mentions why you didn’t come to our party, and you do not want to admit that you were not invited. Another thing that can happen if you are not good at sports or for some other reason you do not know about it is that you are always picked last to be on the baseball team or other sporting event. I do not go for this behavior because it is rude and uncaring, and if any friend treats you this way, they are not your friend. One party would see her friends drive by her house constantly, but they never stopped to ask her to go along with them. Think if it was you and you saw your friends driving by and not stopping even to say hello. If you keep calling someone and they never return your phone calls time after time, they are not your friends. Be glad they have excluded you, and hang onto the friends who are there for you through thick and thin.

We Can Be Excluded From Things Because We Are Too Young Or Too Old

Some amusement parks require a certain height before you can ride their rides. As we age, we can no longer ride on some rides because we can no longer stand the spinning motion, or they are too much for our old bodies to take. Kids twelve and under get to eat free, and teenagers have to pay because teenagers have an endless appetite. We can only get the Senior Citizens discount on specific menu items when we get old, as the others are excluded. It is funny to think we want to grow up quickly as kids. When we get old, we would like to feel like we did when we were kids so we can participate in all the activities we did when we were young that we are excluded from simply because our bodies are no longer limber.

There Are All Kinds Of Exclusions In Our Lives

If a store runs out of a sale item, they may offer a different item to take its place with some exclusions compared to the one they sold out of. I find that the substitute item generally has fewer bells and whistles than the tesser item to get you in the store, which they only had five of, to begin with. Warranties can have a list of exclusions that are a mile long if you want to take the time to read all of them. If you use a lawn mower for commercial use, the warranty time frame is generally cut in half. Exclusions make us mad or sad, but sometimes they work out for the best. Some people and some events you want to be excluded from.

Tags excluded, not allowed in