Mippies are settling in

I woke up quite late – feeling much better than I have in weeks! I think it’s not only that the move is finally over, but also that all uncertainties have now been removed. I now have not only seen my new home, but I know this can work very well and I can be happy here for quite some time! My mippies have survived the whole experience and are recovering quite quickly! And I finally KNOW what I’m facing at work.

After the continuous pressure of the past three months – and all working towards such a lot of unknowns, so much uncertainty – I’m not making any effort to turn this into my home … sigh. When I arrived in Port Elizabeth, I went to work with zest and had everything unpacked and in its place within two weeks! I was eager to start work – and felt somewhat frustrated at having to wait before I was called in.

This time, it’s the exact opposite! I feel in desperate need of a break after these past months! Yet this time, I’m called in right away!

Well, it’s the last time. I’ll cope and survive. I’ll unpack and make this home in my own time – I hope my landlady understands. I wouldn’t want her to fear that she’s saddled herself with a slob!

Funny incident last night: as I was trying to go to sleep, a mosquito buzzed around my head. I asked Lady Jane to take care of it, she promptly came off the window sill, sat next to me and hap! Hap! No more buzzing! Okay, so she probably responded to the sound of the buzzing, rather than my request, but still!

I also woke up hungry, and made myself a nice breakfast. Bread from the Brotstube and Teewurst from Alma, the German butchery (actually Austrian, but who cares). Mippies liked the smell of my breakfast and were very disappointed that I wouldn’t share! I gave them a treat, instead. I actually had a second helping – clearly, I’m getting back to normal as well.

I spent most of today in the room with my mippies, writing this blog. They still cry sometimes, when I go out, but now it’s not the pitiful cries, but more demanding. They are definitely ready to explore and can’t understand why I won’t let them! They spend most of the day sleeping and as a result are eating less than usual. Once they go outside, that will change again.

I have not once been allowed to scoop the litter box without a cat taking a stroll across my back! Yesterday it was Lady Jane - she actually settled down and started washing herself while I was busy! Today it was Mewthos - it's just so conveniently next to the counter, he just strolled from the counter onto my back, turned around and strolled back onto the counter!

I let them explore the passage this afternoon – ha ha, they sat at the door to the lounge, looking at me with big eyes as if saying ‘Open it! We’re ready! Let’s go!’

I took out one of their toys, the track with the ball inside. They were watching me very excitedly, Janey was playing with the short end while I was still putting it together. Then I sat down and we all played for a while!

Oh, and Rose's muffins have received the Ziva seal of approval! Although, when I put some down on the counter for her, she wouldn't touch it - somehow it's only tasty, if she can help herself to some off my plate while I'm eating!

I’ve started singing a new song for my mippies, to the tune of ‘The wheels of the bus go round and round’ I sing ‘Wait till you see the birdies here, birdies here, etc’; adding a new delight every time. Birdies, trees, hoppers, spekboom, geckos … on and on! Oh, and ‘woofies’ ha ha, though they won’t be too delighted about that!

I had a good laugh at Ziva today, she started at the foot end of the duvet and burrowed her way all the way to the pillows!

Right now the landlord is walking with the dogs in the garden, Ziva and Lady Jane have their nose stuck to the window, while Mewthos is under the bed! I sat down on the bed and he stuck his nose out between my feet! It looked so funny! All you see is pink nose and whiskers! I tried to get a photo – but you know how that goes! By the time you have the camera, he’s not doing it anymore.

But it’s good to see Lady Jane has regained her confidence! She’s still got her nose stuck to the window, watching every move outside!

I just had a word with my landlord, he’ll connect the washing machine tomorrow. I think tomorrow, I’ll take the mippies into the kitchen while I work there. I need to wash dishes, do laundry and some other things in the kitchen.

And now, I think it’s time I give that bath a try! Followed by an early night again.