Day 92 of ???, Wednesday 23rd January

My boss didn’t call yesterday, so I’m still in the dark as to how many days I’ve got left.

Mewthos is still in cuddle demand mode – mew, mew, mew, purr, mew, mew, mew, purr! I was up early and had to pick him up over and over again until it was time to open the door – they went out for about an hours, now they’re all back. Mew, mew, mew, purr, mew, mew, mew, purr. Sigh.

I’m happy to report that it’s overcast today, so it shouldn’t be too hot today – and I can get some physical work done!

Bedroom curtains are in the machine, lace curtains are packed.

I’ve got the signed lease agreement back from the owner, and she did counter-sign the crossed out paragraph regarding the indoor smoking! I just asked whether she’d like notification of payment to her e-mail or cellphone – once I have her reply, I’ll pay the deposit. I’ll pay the rent on Saturday.

Bedroom windows washed as best I can. I’m not a 20-year old acrobat, but a 50+ secretary! Mewthos enjoyed the show! Little oopsie: I dropped the wash cloth into the toilet – I’d forgotten it was in the bucket, when I emptied it. Since I was wearing gloves, I tried to fish it out, but it had already gone around the bend. That’s the first time that has ever happened to me!

Received a reply from the owner, so paid the deposit. Curtains were ready, so I hung them over the clothes lines in the bedroom. They’ll take a long time to dry, since they’re made of quite thick material plus they have an inner lining!

While I’m taking a break and having breakfast, I have a surprise visitor: Frankie! Rose must be away for the morning and he probably got bored. He only comes if he’s left alone for a long time! Since my mippies visit Rose and help themselves to Frankie’s food, it’s only fair he comes upstairs to return the favour! I also give him some nippies! He’s happy!

I had some trouble kick-starting myself back into action but managed to pack another box – toiletries this time. I was just finishing it, when Rose called! She’s back and whenever I’m ready we can go visit Earl!

Just after one the minis came – not only inside, but climbed into my wardrobe! So I shut the door, gave them a treat and went to Rose’s! She hadn’t had a chance to have lunch, yet – but there was no hurry, so I sat down and we chatted over her lunch.

Earl was very pleased to see me! I can’t tell whether he remembers me or whether he simply liked me anyway, but he was as cuddly as a teddy bear! I’d drape him over my shoulder and scratch his ears and he’d purr up a storm! He’s clearly happy in his home and showed me all around, he’s very happy with his community, especially his best buddy, Tino? I’m not sure of the name, I’m afraid. Earl, just like Mew, would jump-rub himself on my leg and mip at me to pick him up! We had an absolutely wonderful visit! I was able to take lots of photos – and Rose and I were seeing the differences between Earl and Lady Jane.

For one thing, Earl has grown a little bigger than his twin sister. He also doesn’t share his sisters love of heights – he loved being draped over my shoulder, but didn’t try to stand up on it. I also held him near tree branches at times – Lady Jane wouldn’t have missed a chance to climb. But at one time, the way he came towards me – Rose said that was Ziva down to a T! He does have a little ginger behind the ears, but none in his face. Also, whereas Lady Jane sports a Bikini, Earl is all grey along his tummy. And where the center swirl on Janey is dark, almost black, his is noticeably lighter.

Back at home, I had barely sat down when the phone rang: My boss! Can I move out Monday? And move in Wednesday? Yikes! But, yeah – I was sort of expecting that.

First I go downstairs and tell Rose! Next week this time, I’ll be mipless in Pretoria! Sniff!

My mind is spinning, trying to arrange all that needs to get done – fast, now – into a meaningful order. Back upstairs I fine Mewthos and Lady Jane on the window sill! It’s only five, but I’ll take it! Ziva isn’t quite ready to come in, yet, so I shut the door on poor Romeo.

I call the owner and ask if it would be possible for me to move in on Wednesday – she has no problem with it! Awesome! She tells me it’s 37°C in Pretoria! And not a breath of air! I am going to SUFFER! I have acclimatized to the colder temperatures in the Eastern Cape – I’m now struggling with 30°C, how will I move in 37°C? I’ll just melt!

Ziva doesn’t let me wait for long – all my mippies indoors, and it isn’t even half six! I’ll take it! Better have them bouncing off the walls than me having to chase them round the garden!

I’ve sent mail to Move-A-Pet and will follow up with a phone call tomorrow. Oh, and Rose has her drivers license – they said mine might be ready first week of February! I’ll worry about that when I have some room in my head. Right now it is spinning with all that needs to be arranged. I’ll send mail to the agent tomorrow telling them the flat will be empty from Tuesday – and I’ll take her up on her offer of arranging the carpet cleaning.

Mippies are awfully quiet … hmmm. Okay, Mewthos has packed himself into the suitcase! Ha Ha Ha! Ziva and Lady Jane are on the window sill – but as soon as I go to the bedroom, they follow to see ‘what mommy doing?’.

Having shut the door so early, I’m nearly swimming in my clothes! I had better go take a cooling shower before I loose what little nerves I have left.

I have to confess I’m beginning to hate this keyboard and mouse! My last wireless worked really awesome – until recently! That’s why I got the same brand again. But I now get why everyone says wireless sucks! And apparently getting a non-wireless mouse is becoming nearly impossible! I’ll give that some sane thought when I’m sane again …

I’ve done the dishes, and picked up Mewthos at least a dozen times in the past hour! Mew, mew, mew, purr. Mew, mew, mew, purr. The German word ‘Nervensäge’ describes him quite accurately! It means nerve-saw – he is sawing through my last nerve! Ha Ha!

I feel much better after a cooling shower – but again: Not hungry! I didn’t eat dinner last night, either. All I’ve had these past two days is healthy breakfast and fruit. Well, I’m planning dinner tomorrow night. The curtains are already almost dry, so tomorrow that suitcase will be finished. There really isn’t much left to do in here – mostly it’s just making all relevant arrangements, so that Monday can go off without a hitch.

I asked my boss where I should sleep after the truck is loaded, i.e. Monday night – and he went silent … things must be really bad if he is no longer throwing money around, and worried about one night in a B&B; or toll roads. Yet he flew down here and back to tell me the news in person. I think he’ll be pleasantly surprised, when I get my deposit refunded – since he paid that, it’s his. He hasn’t mentioned it at all, I think he’s probably forgotten about it. After all, it was over 2 ½ years ago!

Well, it’s half past nine, I’ve put the mess from my mind into this blog and my to-do list, so now I should settle back with an ice cream and watch – yeah, still Doctor Who. I’ll have to displace Lady Jane, who is curled up on my armchair. Ziva has claimed the suitcase … I wonder where Mewthos is? Ah! Thought so, he’s joined Ziva in the suitcase!