Ode to Black Cats

I believe black cats are undiscovered decorator resource. They are a beautiful contrast against any color background; they are mysterious; they replace those 80's cat sculptures we all had with something that looks cool and also talks back. Mischeif carries on several conversations everyday with me. Mostly she doesn't seem to like my work shoes. Or the vaccum cleaner.

The one draw back of black cats is that while the hair is indistinguishable on your DC work clothes, it shows up all over your casual comfortable stuff. Just when I final seem to weeded out all the white Oscar hair on my black clothes, black Mischeif hair shows up on all my non-black clothes. Its a good thing she is cute.

Hailey's 9th

Birthday number 9!

Why people have animals

I know people have animals because we craved their unconditional affection. But I am also convinced that we have animals to make us seem more sane when we talk to ourselves. If you have an animal talking to yourself is ok. Samantha likes to talk to herself and I know she is not talking to Mischief! Whereas I seem ironically completely sane because I can talk "to my cat."

Balancing being gone

I realized after my first paycheck that I really am not going to have enough leave accrued to be away for the holidays. Which is seriously annoying given that I want to be home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Luckily I am already set up to work for home and I got the ok from my boss and my client to work from home around Thanksgiving! So I will be in Seattle on Wednesday and Friday but still "at work". Which is great. By the time Christmas rolls around I will have enough time accrued to actually be in Seattle and not at work for the week.

Paster Earl Palmer, who was executive pastor at our church University Presbyterian in Seattle, has now become the preaching pastor in residence at National Presbyterian which is less than 2 miles from my house. It will be nice to have something familiar in worship. I have been feeling displaced on that level.

Amusingly, as some of you are aware, the assistant secretary of ICE (the head of the org.) who is appointed by the president and confirmed by the congress (or in this case, recess appointed) announced the day after the election that she was resigning from her post as of the 15th. Its amusing on many levels, but also because this will be the first time I get to view a "changing" party winds blow through my job life. Luckily my job is safe and my humor is intact because it looks to be an interesting period. Look for amusing updates that I can actually relate without breaking my non-disclosure agreement. The stories I can already tell are bad but unfortunately. . . probably not supposed to be shared either!

Oscar picture

isn't he darling?

Busy work and busywork

Work has kept me busy. Emotionally contemplative and evaluating to office interplay and politics, but not mentally on my toes. I am looking forward to a learning curve in future jobs that has less to do with learning personalities and more with learning. Despite this, I am enjoying getting paid and being occupied. And just like everything else, this is a good learning work experience. It will be good experience anywhere that has office politics (which is any job, really).

On a more fun note, I love my kitty. Mischief is wonderful, with many lovable and hilarious quirks that make her real and not just a furry lump. When I got her she a little extra weight. I have been trying asiduously to help shave her down the a sleeker size. Apparently cat dieting is not my forte. I am seriuosly thinking she has gotten larger and not smaller. I had been feeding her the store brand cat food she came with until she ran out. Then I tried a natural IAMS chicken and rice blend. It worried me when she didn't seem interested in eating it consistently for the first few days. So I went and bought Purina ONE weight control. I had intended to buy the super natural kind from the pet store, but Metro had a hiccup the same day so I just headed to Safeway rather than possibly getting stuck somewhere away from home by the fire between Metro Stations. The long and short is that Mischief doesn't consistently love this one either AND she still seems chubbier. What is a kitty-mama to do?

Considering I have sick old dog at home with my parents, I am just hoping both my beloved animals can continue comfortably and healthily forever, though I know that is not realistic. My funny Oscar dog has been the best friend a growing girl could have. Unfortunately he hasn't felt up to causing trouble lately. I am praying he will feel better soon, that by the time Thanksigiving comes around Oscar will be up to enjoying some turkey and gravy.