Flying home with the kitty

I am flying to Seattle on the 18th (Friday) to visit the family and see all my friends. This should be wonderful! I am so excited to have some time away from work (though I will miss somethings in DC). I promise to return to updating my blog with info and pictures as the new year rings in.

Mischief's new favorite location

Mischief's new favorite location since we returned successfully from Christmas at my parents is the couch. Specifically my green soft throw blanket. She has progressed from just sleeping on it to snuggling under it, digging until it wraps around her. I noticed in the last few days that she has had threads between her nails, tufts of something. I found out this evening. . . blanket.

Needless to say I am putty to my kitty. She is been pretty chubby and I worried during Christmas that I was making the chubby worse. Since we have been home however, Mei-mei has not been eating that much and I have been trying to find the right combination of food for my girlie-girl. I am sure that my mother is right and kitty will settle in and get to eating me out of house and home. I am just a worry-wart and would feel better if she started sooner rather than later.

Christmas was an odd celebration this year. With Western Washington state completely snowed in for all intents and purposes the celebration was rather more quiet than normal. It took until the end of the stay to even be able to find a way to travel safely out and about and visit. After being diverted from my original landing time to Spokane on Saturday the whole trip seemed shorter than normal. My sense of time is all off.

The Twilight Zone marathon on Sci-fi channel for the New Year's has provided almost endless enjoyment for me. I do love the mystery of the unknown! Added to it all interspersed today with Chuck that I had recorded and been saving to watch without Samantha, who really doesn't like it!

Thankful for Oscar and for Mischief

As some of you know, on Thanksgiving day we had to put Oscar down. Just thinking about it still makes me cry. But I am glad I was able to spend a day working for the floor at home and snuggling with Oscar on Wednesday. Mischief quickly put Nani in her place and made herself comfortable. But she didn't seem to mind my Oscar dog and they even stayed snuggling with me seperately on my bed for a while. Unfortunately Oscar was pretty fragile already from what we suspect was cancer in his liver.  When he hurt his hip on Thankgiving there wasn't much that we could do for him that would be not too painful. He was a wonderful dog and will always be my favorite first dog ever. I am really greatful to have Mischief to snuggle with when missing Oscar gets too bad. 

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.

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."

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.

My sleepy kitty. Now anyway. Last night at midnight, she was determined to defeather her mouse, running back and forth in my room. Well, I love her anyways.

Mischief pictures . . .

The video shows my little Mischief (whom I am starting to call MayMay, like sweatheart in Chinese) playing with her feather-tailed mouse. Plus I bought a stick with a hanging little cloth. She loves it and I like helping her get exercise (she is a little bit rounded).  Its like I got a kitten with a grown up body and laid-back style.  

My "boss" is going to be working from home tomorrow. So I am going to be going in late (9am instead of 8:20am) and trying to go to bed early. Frankly I can't stand anymore presidential debate. Ugh . . . ugh.

Happy Mischief . . .

I have a kitty! Her name is Mischief.How cool is that! She really likes a certain spot on the bed already and though she hasn't shown huge "lap cat" tendancies but she has been very easy-going and happy, I think. Like really likes sleeping on the bed with me (I was lying down reading). She is so soft! She feels wonderful. Hopefully Samantha will warm up. So far, she isn't to pleased to have this become reality, even though she ok'd the whole thing. Luckily I think Mischief is going to be a really easy adjustment. She lets me pick her up and hold her; she purrs easily and often. Hopefully she can learn to leave Samantha alot of space.