Rollercoaster

Yesterday was … it just was. I had an awful nightmare just before waking up, Ziva died, Lady Jane was lost … it was awful. I woke up late, after a bad night, had my coffee and went to work. When I told the Mips I would have to go to work, they eagerly went to the kitchen for their distraction-treat!

Work was reasonably busy, so the day passed. Back at home I had a lovely chat outside with Rose while the Mips enjoyed the garden. Romeo was also waiting for me, as soon as I came home, he showed much desire to come inside for food. Rose mentioned that he was much plumper when he first showed up, that he’s lost weight since then. That much weight loss in two weeks is quite worrying. It would seem to indicate that he is suddenly homeless? Like his humans moved without him? Alternately, Rose said that some animals are so driven by their reproductive instinct, so much that those override all other instincts – even the need to eat. She said she’d heard of dogs sitting outside the home of a bitch in heat waiting relentlessly for an opportunity to get at her, not going home, not eating, and just pining away. Romeo sure seems besotted with Ziva – but neither Ziva nor any female around here can be in heat! Maybe I should make some effort to find his owners. He needs neutering!

Anyway, that was yesterday.

I had a better night, it would seem. I couldn’t get to sleep for a long time, though – and yet I woke up earlier than I have in a long time! I was up before seven today.

My waking up late mostly on work days, would seem to indicate a subconscious desire to avoid work – but that isn’t the case. I enjoy my work, and – even though there’s little to do at this stage – I enjoy seeing my colleagues! Apart from Rose, they are the only human contact I have. While a project is in full swing, that isolation is only after hours – but as the project comes to an end, ‘outside work hours’ fills more and more of my life. And when the project is over, and no new project has started – I’m pretty much alone. And then I do get lonely. It was worst in East London, where I didn’t really have any friends – the ones I’d made had let me down and stomped off in a huff. Here in PE, there’s Rose. Pretoria is different, though – I’ve lived there for so many years, I know lots of people. I can go to some pubs, on a whim and socialize. I can go to malls and am likely to run into someone I know. And I have friends in Pretoria. And loads of acquaintances I can meet up with.

It’s my own choice, though, not to socialize while a project is in full swing – and I don’t wilt when I’m on my own. It goes with the job – and suits my personality quite well.

When I got up this morning, I found that the Mips had been on the lounge table and overturned a water container! The table is wooden and had been soaking for a while … so, even before I could start making coffee, I had to clean up the mess! With distressed Mips hovering to see what upset me.

As I was leaving, to do the shopping – Ziva came strolling in! So, for a change, she’ll be shut indoors with the Mips while I’m out. Some rain has come down early this morning, not much, though, just enough to cover the ground with a layer of wet.

Funny thing happened at the mall: I ran into someone I know! Funny only, because earlier I stated that as an example in Pretoria – I don’t know that many people in PE.

I took a bit of time to stroll through the mall – I tried to find shoes, but that’s going to take time. I went to a place called Tekkie Town – masses and masses of shoes, mostly Tekkies, of course. In that whole lot, I found only one pair I liked – no heel (I never understood why you’d add a raised heel to a sport-shoe?), and not so wide that it looks like paddles. I tried them on, but the sole was uncomfortable. It was too hard. But I will spend more time looking around for shoes when the project is finished and I’ll have some well-deserved leisure time.

Back at home I’m having difficulty getting the Mips to go outside – they seem to prefer cuddling and smothering me with their bums (you know how that goes: pet a cat and up in the air goes the bum. Cuddle a cat and the bum is in your face!). Remember when I had just as much difficulty keeping them FROM going outside? Or that time Earl got out and was half-way to the gate before Ziva & Shadow managed to catch up with him! But overall, it’s a good thing that the mini’s hang around me, rather than exploring the far side, perchance getting to the road.

I’ve also opened the bedroom windows – wide open – and closed the door. Done the dishes. Taken a load of laundry out and put the next load into the machine – another wash & dry lot. I still have leftovers for dinner, so there’s only tomorrow’s lunch still to make – later.

The weather has been overcast with occasional dripping. It’s lovely and cool, though not cold, and there is just a pleasant breeze. But with the occasional rain drops, gardening is not an option, as the ground is too wet to sit on. Romeo has been around to gobble his fill – he cleans out the wet-food dishes very nicely!

I’ve been busy doing some research and cleaning out my mail boxes, so overall, it’s been a productive day.

Tonight’s shower was … interesting. Lady Jane decided to stay – and not leave when I get into the shower. She spent the whole time either on the rim of the bath (I have no separate shower, there’s a shower head in the bath) or even inside the bath, almost at my feet – although she stayed safely behind the shower curtain, so she didn’t get too wet. She has the inquisitiveness of Quizzy Lizzy combined with the exuberance of Earl! Now, with both of them no longer crowding her style, she’s really coming into her own!