the
song is "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
Tues. Dec. 29 Well, I must be crazy - I'm taking in another foster. For those of you who read the CWBB posts, I'm taking Tanya's little Mushroom for a little TLC and Zoo magic. He's already on the mend, and both Tanya and I think it's just a matter of a couple of weeks before he's tip-top and ready for adoption. Though, you know, I've always had a thing for grey cats (when Tika came, I told her she was half the grey cat I've always wanted!) And Tanya says this little fellow has grey eyes, too. I haven't even seen the little guy yet, and already I'm in love!
I've decided to have a Super Bowl party - I got a letter from Publisher's Clearinghouse telling me to stay home on Super Bowl Sunday in case I win the $11 million prize. I know they must send out hundreds, if not thousands, of notices like this, but I want to be sure to be home when Ed McMahon shows up with my big check! Just think what I could do with that money!!! Build a huge new cat-friendly house, with an extension FCO (for cats only). Set up an entire fleet of free spay/neuter vans. Take in mentally, physically, or emotionally challenged foster children - all the hard-to-place children, 2 for each of the 5-6 bedrooms I'd build onto my new house. Each child would have the responsibility for full-charge care of 2-3 cats. (And dogs, and goats, and pigs, and sheep!) I'd have a regular Noah's Ark, with the children and animals coming 2 by 2 for refuge from the storm. A safe haven, to relax and grow and reach full potential. To know love, instead of kicks in the teeth (physical and emotional). Asylum, shelter, safe haven, and a place where someone gives a damn, even if you're not perfect. (And who among us is? Some of us just manage to hide it more successfully in a world that sinks its teeth into vulnerability.)
I'll get off my soapbox now......
Fri. Dec 25 Merry Christmas! I spent a quiet night last night, hanging out with the cats. I got some white bakery bags earlier in the week; last night I put some sand in the bottom of each and a votive candle in the sand. Then I lined my walk with them, finishing with my 3 lanterns on the steps to the house. It looked really beautiful - simple, pure, clean.
This morning Loverboy and Mr. French were sleeping in the sun with their bottoms abutting (if you'll pardon the pun!). Perhaps we have reached a detente? I took some pictures of him today, and I'll be clicking away for the next few days.
I stopped at the fish market on my way home yesterday and picked up a half-pound of little tiny fish - the sign said they were sperring. Today, I spread them out on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven at 200 degrees to dry. It took over 2 hours for them to dry completely and the smell wafting from the kitchen was something less than savory, but they were beautiful when they were done. Whole dried little fish. Everybody here got some, and everybody seemed to really enjoy them. Since this was a way to give them a really special treat for a $.99 investment, I think I'll have to do this more often. It sure is cheaper than buying sun-dried anchovies at the pet store!
Wed. Dec 23 I can't seem to keep up with posting this daily, so I may switch to a less-frequent schedule. Besides, my life's just not that interesting every day! Disco and Triskit's mom stopped by last night to bring me a box of pralines as thanks for keeping an eye on Triskit while she was on vacation. Everyone seems intent on fattening me up, as if that were really necessary! I've also received chocolates, cookies, and lots of candy canes in the last few days. Oh well, 'tis the season, and I can go back to a sane diet in a week or so.
The kitties are all well and happy, and getting along just fine. I'm tired and feeling a little odd - I've never quite recuperated from my bout with bronchitis last month, and I'm hoping this very long weekend will help. I have to work tomorrow, but only until noon, then I'm off until Monday morning. I'll work around here when it suits me, and take lots of naps if I feel the need. And spend lots of quality time with the Zoo.
Sun. Dec 20 I awoke to a totally trashed house this morning. I'm never going to get this place clean!!! Yesterday, I put together 2 more moving boxes of packing paper from the cartons in the spare room and moved them into the dining room in preparation for putting them out on the street on trash night. When I awoke this morning, every single sheet of paper had been pulled out of those boxes, and much of it had been shredded. What a mess!! It's still a mess, too, because when I saw how much fun they were having, I didn't have the heart to clean it up. (Especially since I know they'll just do it all over again, given half a chance, and I'll just have to clean it up again!) Oh, well........
I get to leave work early tomorrow, and I'm meeting a couple BB friends on the steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral and we're going to lunch together. That should be fun. And I should get home a little earlier than usual, so I'll have some time to clean up a little. Dear Santa, I've been very, very good this year. All I want is twice-monthly maid service for a year!!! (I'll send my address to anyone who wants to contribute!!!)
Sat. Dec 19 Everything here is relaxed and copacetic. As far as I'm aware, Mr. French has not been up to any bad behavior. And the Terrible Three are getting more and more relaxed all the time. Ooooh, Punch is such a sweet little guy, with his wide-eyed, inquisitive, sea-green eyes! He sat near my feet and watched me for a while tonight, instead of watching TV (he loves watching TV). He observed me with a steady, measuring gaze, his head tilted slightly to first one side then the other, seeming to be listening to every word. I just want to grab him up and mush the h*ll out of him! But that would probably set us back a couple of months, not to mention the serious injuries I would most likely sustain. sigh Sometimes it's so hard to be patient!
Monday night is my holiday eve - the winter solstice occurs Monday evening and the days start getting longer again on Tuesday. Almost time for my annual darkness-cursing ritual; I have to dig out the purple candles! =) Last year I told my mom, "Every year on the shortest day of the year, there's a darkness-cursing ritual I perform. I light purple candles and incense, play spacey New Age music, dance around wildly in the buff and curse the darkness and praise the light. It must work, because the next day the days start getting longer." She replied, "Of course they do, you dope!" And then she burst into giggles and asked if I pull the shades down before I do this. I told her that no, on the contrary - I opened all the blinds first! I had her laughing so hard she was choking.
Fri. Dec 18 All in all not a bad day. I got a wonderful gift from a trio of folks I support - a gift certificate to Amazon.com - and now I can go cat-book shopping! (Maybe something on Java Script?)
I think it's going to be an early night - I'm pooped.
Thurs. Dec 17 It felt like a very long day, today. I was still not up to snuff most of the day and we had a small luncheon planned for today. Eating was not something I should have done. I haven't tried that again in the last 11 hours and I'm feeling a little better, so I think I'll forego any more solid food for the moment.
Cerra had a big breakthrough tonight - she got lonely for my company and came looking for it. She's a totally different cat. I'm sure we'll still have some startles but I think the thick walls have crumbled. I'm so happy for her - she's a darling little girl, and will be a wonderful, loving, grateful pet. When I think that just 2 weeks ago the people who trapped her were considering re-releasing her as she hadn't become socialized in the 5 weeks she'd spent at the vet's office, I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet and work with this cat.
And Pete/Mr. French is really becoming quite settled in here. (He didn't so much as twitch when I called him "Cabot" or "Sebastian", but when I said "Mr. French!" he turned around and looked directly into my face. So Mr. French he is!)
Wed. Dec. 16 Something I ate at the party disagreed with me, and refused to allow me any peace all night. I ended up staying home and sleeping most of the day and night.
Tues. Dec 15 It was a busy day at work, topped off with a 2 hour meeting in a too-warm room. Then the office Christmas party, about which I have no intention of telling you! Suffice it to say some of those folks know how to have a good time.
Mon. Dec 14 You know that $10.25 I spent on the train out to Jean's on Saturday? When I got home today, there was a $10 rebate from Hill's in my mailbox. Kind of interesting, the way resources are replaced when I spend them on cats.
Pete is moving along in the settling-in process. I've been working with him tonight, and with Buttons who found herself trapped in the bathroom after she went in to investigate when Bubba sprang Cerra from there. Cerra is under the bed in the spare room. Musical isolation spaces. I'm going to try to get some Buspar into Pete this evening at bedtime. He really needs a new name - Pete doesn't fit at all. He's far too dignified to be a Pete. Every time I look at him he looks bigger. For some odd reason, he reminds me of Cassius Clay (Mohammed Ali). Or of a little black bear cub. Or Sebastian Cabot. (Remember Mr. French?)
Sun. Dec 13 It could have been a better day. I'm still pooped after yesterday's excursion. This morning, Pete burst through the accordian door and went into the spare room (I thought), so I spent 3 backbreaking hours this afternoon working in there. It's still a long way from being finished, but I can only put out so much trash on any given pickup day! Tomorrow night's trash night, and there's enough stuff to put out already. Come Thursday night, I'll put out another batch.
Anyway, Pete was not under the twin bed in there as I had thought, so I began checking all the hidey holes I know about. I found him in the hall closet, and he was coaxed out fairly easily. Unfortunately, he got a look at a number of curious residents and got upset, and went flying off, scratching my neck and making my glasses fly off 10 feet away in the process. He ended up in the sunroom, on top of the loveseat. I was able to get some Rescue Remedy into him and sit and talk with him until another curious kitty scared him down behind the loveseat where he remains. He's scared of them, he's scared of me, and he's just really unsettled. I can't say I blame him - if yesterday was rough for me, just imagine how it was for this poor boy and then take into account the week he's had! He was at Rich's new house, he was at the shelter for 2 nights, he was at Linda's for 2 nights, his foster-mom was shuttling him all over the place, he rode in a car with 2 people he doesn't know and then had to ride on trains, a packed subway, and a bus. All things considered, I'm amazed that he's not tearing the place up in sheer terror!
He's going to be just fine - I just have to convince him of that!
Sat. Dec 12 It was a very long and tiring day today. When my phone rang "bright and squirrely" at 7 am I reached out and pounded the heck out of my snooze alarm until I realized it was the phone. Jean talked to me until she was sure I was awake, then I got up, showered and dressed, went to the store to get food and litter, came back and got one box changed, checked my e-mail, and left for Jean's. She picked me up at the train station and we headed for Pennsville NJ to meet Neko and pick up Pete. We were a little early (Jean's got a lead foot!) so we took a stroll through a little park along the Delaware river there, then we headed to the rendezvous point.
We pulled into the parking lot right behind Neko and Pete. After we had a quick lunch and some great conversation, we made the transfer and Jean and I were back on the road. I got to go to Jean's for a few minutes to reacquaint myself with Pepper and to meet her brother Loki. That sure is one happy household!
Then back to the train, change trains in Newark, NJ, carry Pete through Penn Station to the subway, wait with hordes of other passengers cursing the MTA for doing construction and causing trains to run 1/2 hour apart, carried Pete through the basement of the Citibank building to get to an escalator to go to street level where we caught a bus to take us home. I could have taken a different subway and avoided the bus ride, but that would have put me on foot 7 blocks from home and Pete's just too heavy to carry that far after I'd been carrying him all afternoon! Posted to the board, ran to the corner and had 2 beers, and came home and fell into bed at about 11.
Fri. Dec 11 It was a very busy day at work. I'm totally bushed. I went out with Doc for a little while after work and came home and did some work here. I fell asleep on the bathroom floor while trying to coax Cerra to come over and then I made the mistake of coming here to work and didn't get to bed until after 1 pm.
Thurs. Dec 10 I guess I've finally grown up - I've finally conquered one of my biggest bete noirs. I made my second blood donation today, 62 days after the first. The first time I went was so painless (actually fun, thanks to a couple of really funny phlebotomists!) and I filled up my pint so quickly they couldn't believe it. When I got my donor card, I found out that I have a blood type only 6% of the population has, and I'm negative for CMV (something-something virus, which most people have in their blood). My blood type is always in demand, both because of its scarcity and because it's CMV negative - only CMV- blood can be transfused to infants and the elderly. It makes me feel really good to donate - I don't have much $$$ (next-to-nothing, in fact), but this is a way I can help by, quite literally, giving of myself. And they were amazed today, too - I filled up that little bag in 4 minutes flat!! The guy who was 2 people in front of me for the health check was still being drained when I got to the cot, and he was still there when I went to have juice and cookies!! There were different staff there today, but they were cool, too. When I told the phlebotomist she did good when she adjusted the armrest, she said "Yeah, but it's too bad I'm not good with the needle!" I cracked up!
Pete is at Linda's until Saturday. Neko's going to pick him up there on Saturday and bring him to the rendezvous point. That's good for Neko - now David won't think she's totally overboard. I, on the other hand, am totally out of control! I have to figure out a way to sequester either Pete or Cerra in my bedroom-without-a-door by Saturday night! I've asked a friend to go to a home supply store Saturday morning and buy me an accordian door for my bedroom, and I'll pay him back Tuesday when I get paid. I should be able to get that installed by Sunday morning at the latest, and probably by Saturday night. I'm going to have to go without lunch tomorrow (unless I can fix a tuna sandwich tonight and put it in the freezer) so I can afford to take the train to Jean's - even just $10.25 is kind of out of my budget until Tuesday! I'm telling you, the cats eat good and get whatever they need while I go hungry and wear old clothes! I must really be nuts!!
Wed. Dec 9 I'm worn out. Two days of sitting on my chair waiting to hear how things were going to work out regarding Pete used up all the energy I had, and now we know what's happening and how and when we're going to make the exchange I'm plumb tuckered. Jean is an angel - she's driving me 2 hours down the turnpike to meet Neko so we can get Pete up here. I offered to take him originally because his story really got to me, so I'll just think of the last month as a brief pit stop to the end of the journey. I really don't want Rich to feel bad about this - like he failed. I do think Pete was a little too ambitious a project for Rich at this particular time in his life, and things just got a little overwhelming for him.
I'm looking forward to having Pete here. I seem to have an ability to reach timid cats, though you can't tell from my recent track record with TC, Punch, and Buttons. They do much better when I don't get in their faces - they get curious and come a lot closer to me. I've decided to just let them go at their own pace - I can see what curious, intelligent personalities they have in the way they interact with the Zoo, and they never hide anymore. It's just a matter of time, and I have to do it on their schedule.
Cerracao is coming along quite nicely. My experience with her (and with Jean's Pepper) has convinced me I haven't lost the touch. Cerra is approaching me now. Timidly and very tentatively, but still being forward enough to finally get close and touch me. She is a precious, precious girl, and incredibly satisfying to hold and stroke. She kneads so gently! Actually, it's more like just flexing her paws in pleasure. I really hope some wonderful human will come to this kitten.
Tues. Dec 8 It was a very busy evening! I was e-mailing all over the country working on a knotty problem, but things are looking like they're going to work out. I'm keeping it under my hat for now, but I'll post the news here when I can.
I must be totally out of my gourd, because I fixed the Zoo a special treat tonight and forgot to eat anything myself! I stood and peeled 1/2 lb. of small shrimp for the Zoo, and ooooooooh, did we have fun with that! I've saved a little for more trust-training with Cerracao - let's see if that entices her into approaching me first. Once I've picked her up and cuddled her she really relaxes. She comes and lies down next to me and even sniffs my hand when I put it down between us - all kinds of body language that lets me know she wants more - but she's still not "asking" for it yet. That's the crucial step for this cat - until she trusts enough to approach first she hasn't really broken the barrier. Once she does, she'll be just about ready for adoption. In any case, she can go back and live at the clinic where she'll be allowed free reign instead of being caged. If I hang onto her for too long, I'm going to fall in love.
Mon. Dec 7 I sit here this evening with the candles lit atop my scanner, and furry warm cuddly Bubba curled between my feet keeping them warm. There's something both uplifting and melancholy about it at the same time - I guess I'm just feeling a little "sensitive" this evening. I adore this gentle, loving ball of fluff between my feet - he's just so sweet! He's sneaked into the bathroom several times to visit Cerra - as I've said before he's a little schmoozer, and he walks up to any and every cat with a happy, open attitude - and he's got her wrapped around his paw. When he comes close to her she lies down on her side and rubs her head against the towel to tempt him over for a nose-touch. Even fearful little chicken cats love Bubba!
I love them all dearly, but there are a couple I really am madly in love with - Bubba, Peek-a-Boo, Fritz, Lucy - I guess because they're the big-time cuddlers. Tika is sweet and unobtrusive, but learning to be a little more assertive in asking for attention. Loverboy is finally really adjusting to living here and has begun to show me his intelligent, loving personality. Mesh-Mesh is elusive but incredibly beautiful, and she's quite conciliatory to new-comers. Good, solid, placid Twinkletoes is always comfortably settled in the recliner or on top of the bed with Calliope the half-cat (because she doesn't generally mix with the rest of the Zoo, and waits on my bed for me to come cuddle her.) Tootsieroll is just a cool cat - so aloof and superior sometimes, and a real mush-ball at others. Lambchop is a quiet little girl until bedtime, when she demands her day's ration of cuddles. And Tinkerbelle is a refined senior citizen who sits quietly and watches, watches, watches the exuberant exploits of "the children". Each is so special to me! (But this all started with Bubba, didn't it? Today, I love him best!)
Sun. Dec 6 It's been a kind of relaxed, do-it-at-a-slower-tempo day. I got all the little glitches on the site worked out, I hope. Thanks to lisaviolet, who noticed my table tags weren't closed. After I poke fun at John O'D for the same thing! And I put spacers on all the pages to prevent the text from running into the border (Pat, let me know if you find any other problems!)
I've had 3 cuddle sessions and several other briefer visits with Cerracao today, and she's a big pushover. The instant I touch her she starts to purr and knead, and she's beginning to get playful - she'll reach out to grab my retreating hand so I'll pet her some more. Very shy, but very loving, she will wait for me to come to her but I can tell she's working up the courage to approach me first - she's got this cute little "almost-got-brave-enough-to-move-toward-you" wiggle. She's quite gentle, though she's nipped me a wee bit hard a couple of times when she got really excited when I was rubbing her belly. Just love bites, but she hasn't quite got the pressure down right yet. She will - she learns very quickly. What a terrific cat she is!
Sat. Dec 5 The as-yet unnamed resident of my bathroom is really beginning to thaw. She doesn't hide from me anymore, and actually rolled over on her back in an invitation for me to scratch her belly. She really loves to cuddle, and she's been purring and kneading like crazy. She's a gentle little thing - and I do mean little. At 5 months, Bubba is bigger than she is at 9-12 months. She would be the perfect companion for an older, retired lady. Or a not-so-old still-working girl with 12 other permanent residents?
I didn't get anything done today, except I did manage to get up and go have some blood drawn - Dr. Paul wants to re-check my cholesterol. I was supposed to get my hair cut this afternoon, but I slept right through my appointment - I came home this morning and had my bagel and coffee, and then fell asleep on the couch around 11:30. I dozed off and on the rest of the afternoon, and didn't wake up for good until Mom called around 7:30. I guess I really must have needed the sleep! I was only vaguely conscious of purring furballs coming and going. I feel like such a lazy slob, but I sure enjoyed having a do-nothing day!
Fri. Dec 4 Doc brought me the most beautiful cat to tame! From one angle she looks like a shiny gunmetal grey, and from another she looks deep chocolate brown with silvery feathering. Gorgeous gold eyes. She's really sweet - I already have her lying in my lap and purring. She's a little chicken, but she's already starting to relax. Beautiful, beautiful cat.
Thurs. Dec 3 I've been working on the Christmas page. Found some holiday midis I really like - I guess I'm in a jazzy mood (or maybe it's just the full moon) because the music I chose for this page and for that one are jazz versions. I like it. I'm going to work on it a little more tonight - I hope to get the Christmas carol parodies by Pat and Shirley up this evening. And I've got a couple of my own to add. I'm so glad to be back home to my computer - it's about the only place I'm getting any intellectual stimulation these days!
Wed. Dec 2 Back to work. Yecchhh. Stopped on the way home to check in with some friends, came home and watched Jeopardy! and checked my e-mail. Then I started to work on getting December's diary started. While I was looking for midis and some other Christmas stuff, I found a great graphics site hosted by a high school. They have 20 pages of Christmas graphics! Midis there, too, but I haven't had a chance to go back and check them out yet. So, I got started on working on my Christmas page and the next thing I knew it was after 1 am. Off to bed!
Tues. Dec 1 It was a very busy day today, right from the start. I went swimming with my mom (she water-walks, I hang out in the deep end), came home and did a quick batch of laundry and had lunch. Got all packed, took some pics, hugged and kissed goodbye, and left to make the 180 mile trip to the airport. I stopped at the post office in town to get stamps (saves me trying to get to the P.O. here when it's open), stopped at the cider mill to get some goodies, stopped at a discount pet store and got some more goodies (lots and lots!), stopped to see my Queens friend Erin at work, stopped at my brother's house to return the spare litterbox, stopped at the gas station to fill the rental car, and finally got to the airport. The rental car company dropped me off at Concourse F which is way far away from Concourse C which is where my plane was. I half-trotted down the moving walkways (and the halls, where there are no walkways) with an overstuffed duffel in my hand and an overstuffed backpack (with 2 half-gallons of cider in it, no less). All of this in the down jacket I took thinking it would be cold in Michigan at this time of year. (Silly me!) Keep in mind I'm still having a hard time breathing anyway because of the residual effects of having had bronchitis. I arrived at the gate sweat-soaked, shaking, and gasping for air as I coughed my lungs up only to see my plane just pulling away from the jetway. I sat down and dug out my inhaler and had a couple of puffs of that while I tried to catch my breath and quiet my thumping heart. End of story, I had to wait 2 hours for the next flight. (Thank heaven there was one more!)
The Zoo was thrilled to see me - I had a hard time getting far enough into the house to put things down because there were so many kitties milling around my legs. I've never been so glad to see the fur-faces in my life!
