Stories

My friends (ode to Darin!), I could not make up stories like this if I tried. Background: My performance appraisal last year consisted of them orally telling me I was doing fine. The department (non)manager nervously told me my bonus and raise without discussion.

In discussing why I wanted a performance appraisal this year, I told the lead Dementor that I wanted feedback on areas of improvement, and for my performance/growth to be documented. I used an example that if I dressed or behaved inappropriately, they would need it documented in case of an eventual termination. He responded with "Please dress inappropriately" and laughed.

Matchmaking

Well, I helped a meezer find her furever home! We are waiting for the Center to approve the match and I don't expect them to reject it. She's a special-needs kitty, so this make it all the more meaningful for me. It is so hard not to get emotionally attached to my adopters and the meezers. I am also helping transport two little boys to their furever homes tomorrow.

I am happy that I can help kitties but also saddened that there are SO MANY kitties needing a home! And this is only one rescue, saving only Siamese cats. There are many other cats, dogs, bunnies, ferrets, and a ton of other animals who desperately want to love and be loved.

Saving the world one kitty at a time.

Fraud

My new name for Cara is Fraud. She tricked us into adopting her.

Good Belly

I hate most dairy. The mere thought of milk makes me gag. I try to avoid buying milk so I don't have to touch the container and risk getting any milk cooties on my hands.

Walking through Wegmans yesterday, there were a few tasting tables set up. One of them was for Good Belly. The lady invited me to try a probiotic drink. I cautiously approached her, still uncommitted to actually standing in front of her display. She quickly chirps about what it is, sensing my skepticism. She said 'dairy-free' and my face relaxed with relief. I moved closer so she could tell me more about it. I tried and subsequently purchased the blueberry flavor.

QE thought the whole exchange was hilarious because it was obvious I was ready to run if she said yogurt, milk, or dairy. Once the lovely lady promised me no dairy was in sight, we were BFFs.

Heroes

Colin Powell endorsed Barack Obama. Wow. Powell is one of my heroes. He has integrity, ethics, and strong values; qualities not often exemplified, especially in public figures. I respect the man for his hard work and honesty. It will be interesting to see if this endorsement will sway or affect other Republicans.

I know one person who will remain unchanged. She is a down-home redneck racist who refuses to support Obama despite being a democrat because she "just can't". She can't bring herself to let "that one" become president because he is a secret Muslim terrorist out to inflict evil on our country. The scary part is that she is totally serious. I work with not one, but two people who openly express these views. What's laughable is that they will tell ME of all people about their biases.

Just a few weeks ago, this same woman told me how she was horrified to see two middle school boys walking with her granddaughter after school. One of the boys had his arms around the girl. Long story short, she wasn't mad that the boys were hanging off her granddaughter or that one said "she's my bitch". It was because the boys were black and she was aghast at what the neighbors might think.

My Ra

QE calls our youngest Caranator (like Terminator) since she leaves a path of violence and destruction. Apparently many cats get returned, even YEARS later. I still wonder if we're doing the right thing by keeping our little RaRa.

There's something about her that is so darn cute! We tend to forgive her antics because the sweet moments are so precious, it makes everything worthwhile. The way she grabs for treats, the way she looks around while laying flat on her back, the way she answers "noooo" when asked if she loves mommy.

I guess I equate our relationship with the cats to marriage. Well, theoretically anyway. We chose to create this relationship, so it only seems right to honor our commitment and endure "for better or for worse". There are a few instances where a divorce is necessary, like abuse or illegal activities, but there's nothing equivalent in the animal world. Those things don't spontaneously develop, so I wonder whether both parties entered the marriage with sound mind and judgment. Given the divorce rate, I have to think that most are for convenience. Being too young when married, growing apart, or just falling out of love are lame excuses. That is plain lack of effort, poor decision making, or a third party. Given the commonality of divorce, it's no surprise that disposing of animals doesn't even register to many people. Easy come, easy go. We can now dump off unwanted children at a hospital with no questions asked!

Cara seems content most of the time. I don't think the rescue tricked us into adopting her. I chose her. Her adoption photo was a bad-ass rebel cat--she's sitting behind a bookcase with a scowl on her face. Sigh...if only I didn't think it was cute or funny. But I did. And now I pay the price for it. Every. Single. Day. I keep waiting for that one day when Cara realizes she enjoys being loved and is glad to be sharing her life with us.

I have fallen for a handsome young fellow. His hindleg was recently amputated. He is a lovebug but we can't take him in because we already live in a war zone. Thanks a lot, CARA!

Yesh

Mooch has the right philosophy on life--focus on the good things, keep your perspective, and everything will be fine. I left work a little after noon today and it was awesome. It was just nice to be away from Azkaban.

So much going on. Made some good changes in my life. A cleansing of sorts, I think. I am getting way too attached to the meezers. Not sure if that's a good idea. It's probably not healthy for me to be so emotionally involved.

I can't decide if my kitties are killers. I bought them a rabbit fur toy. It had feathers on one end so I don't have to actually touch the fur. Cara and Davis both showed interest in it but have not "killed" it yet. Does that mean they are compassionate? They've lost their predator edge?

She would never admit it, but Cara loves me. She will scurry from wherever she is to greet me. She waits for me to take her collar at night and give her a neck scratch. Cara purred for me once. Oh, what a treat!

Piglet will be here in a bit over a month! I keep seeing workbooks and have the urge to buy some for him until I remember he's not even one yet. Ooops.

Driving home today, school buses were dropping off children. No big deal, except that there were parents waiting at the bus stops for the kids!! The bus deposits children right out side the various apartment complexes in broad daylight. Was it necessary for an adult to be there waiting? Very cool though. It's a foreign concept to me since my SAHM never did that with me. Even on my first day of kindergarten, I walked to the bus stop alone. She waved at me from our balcony. When we moved, I walked to school alone beginning in first grade. Mom was rarely awake in the mornings when I left for school. Never means none--rarely means maybe a handful of times from kindergarten through high school. Heck, there were times when AM kindergarten was canceled because of snow and I was at the bus stop. The big kids had to tell me I didn't have school and to go home. So given my experiences, it's very weird for me to see parents waiting at a bus stop for their tater tots.

Hallmark Holiday

On behalf of all the animals in the world, Happy World Vegetarian Day!


Ellen was at some event and Proposition 2 came up. She said something like "I know lots of stupid people and we don't kill them!"