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Wednesday, 1 November 2017

Heat wave continues and tempers flare

Busy night for the Mip Mips (aka kittens) again. I woke up feeling like I was used as a trampoline half the night – which isn’t possible, since the Mip Mips aren’t climbing onto the bed by themselves, yet. I’ve moved the kittens litter box out of reach, since they all treat it like a food bowl! I don’t know what is wrong with them – they’re all eagerly eating the potting soil, yet show little interest in the baby cat food! Two of them ate it on first attempt, but since then, it has not met with much interest. On its own, no problem – but when taken together with their enthusiastic nibbling of the potting soil? Ai ai, I don’t know!

At least Silver is showing more and more interest in play – I’ve got the scratch to prove it, too! She’s actually very gentle, the scratch was accidental. The Mip Mips are showing a preference for climbing – anything that enables them to gain height, however little, is tackled. I’ll have to get busy with my kitty climbing structure – maybe tonight.

Today is still hot, but not as bad as yesterday. I had a quick chat with our site manager regarding my future – and he said that until January, definitely full-time. Thereafter I could go full-time to Pretoria or part-time PE until Easter definitely, thereafter we’d have to see. But Pretoria won’t be much past Easter either – and although there’s the simple ‘full-time’ vs ‘part-time’ the big picture is a bit more complex; since it would involve moving over 1000km twice in less than 12 months. Which also complicates finding a place to stay – very few places accept rental contracts running less than 1 year. My increase still hasn’t trickled through to me, although I’ve been compensated for the petrol. And each move also has collateral expenses. Moving 300km once will be sufficiently cheaper to balance the part-time vs full-time income for 3 months.

Plus, having some weekdays off will give me sufficient opportunity to get my affairs in order. Like certain repairs to the car (aircon, radio); sorting through my hoard to reduce it – hopefully drastically. I could do my groceries on a weekday – and have the entire weekend free. And there are a few projects and ideas which I’ve put on hold for just such a set-up. I also need some clothing – but I detest being jostled and pushed around by the weekend mobs.

Back at home, with my neighbours help, I put together a kitty play structure. It ended up a far cry from what I had in mind – very, very far! But it’s not completely useless, I’ve propped the scratching post up on it, so the kittens have something to climb on after all.

We tried feeding the Mip Mips again, but they showed no interest in the food. The adults did, though – extreme interest! At one point, after I had flicked Silver’s ear a few times for getting too close – she tried pulling it toward her with her paw! Clever girl! It got smacked, too, though.

After my neighbour left, something induced me to look into the corner behind the mirror … and I found a dead bird there! Not a crow, though. Silver was not impressed with me taking her trophy away! I’ve no idea how long it had been there – not very long, for sure. Ai ai, never a dull moment, eh?

We think the lack of interest in the food may be because it’s too cold for the Mip Mips, so I left some outside the fridge and tried again later – one of the twins gobbled it up quite enthusiastically! The other twin had latched on to a teat but was watching wide-eyed what was going on – which was quite cute. Quizzy Lizzy and Tiger Tim were probably under the bed – they didn’t come out.

The flat is really stifling with all windows closed in this heat, so after I bathed, I tried opening the front door and keeping the cats in with the board I use to keep the Mip Mips out of the lounge – but Silver got out with Shadow right behind her. Right now I am so angry, I don’t want to see either adult again. As cute and adorable as the cats and kittens are – having this instant family of six thrust into my care is not always easy. It’s adding a lot of chores, quite some expenses and also a lot of time and energy trying to build a relationship with these complete unknown characters. Part of me will be glad when Shadow can leave and at least three of the kittens have found homes. At times like these, it’s all just getting too much for me.

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