Sunday

I slept till about half past seven - not so much slept, as snuggled from about half past five, when the alarm went off.

I let mippies out, then went inside to make my coffee - only, Mewthos wanted back inside, just not when mini is in sight. It took over twenty minutes before I could have the first sip of my coffee! I've fed mini, several times now - I don't know what to do when I'm at work. Ideally, she should eat every few hours throughout the day, but I can't leave food out, because Mewthos will gobble it. I've considered taking her to work - but that would mean keeping her in her carrier all day long! Plus, I'd have to take a litter box to work and keep an eye on when she needs that. I can't do that.

Poor mite, won't have the good home Mewly and Janey grew up in. No mother to feed her throughout the day, no siblings to play with, only a bunch of big cats hissing and growling at her. Well, she does a fair bit of hissing and growling herself.

Last night I had both her and Ziva in their respective cuddle caves. They could see each other, and occasionally either growled, but for long stretches they both just enjoyed cuddles and scratches - ear and chin scratches from me, that is.

Eventually I went to sleep, and I felt Ziva burrowing under the duvet next to me, while the mini had curled up in my arms - the mini under my duvet, Ziva on top but under the feather duvet, so they had a barrier between them. Progress is being made.

I've introduced mini to the mouse on a string today and she did paw at it somewhat. Not quite as enthusiastically as I might have liked - but then, Mewthos was nearby, watching and complaining. But mini is starting to play as well, which is a good sign. She worries me somewhat with her docile behaviour - I remember the mip mips being much livelier at that age. Too lively for this old lady, actually, which is why I was so relieved when the colleague said he'd take her. And then hit somewhat of a flat spin when he said he couldn't.

I like to have plans in place, step by step, how to achieve specific results. I don't do well in chop-and-change scenario. I do okay, when I have plan B in place, but when I'm suddenly pulled off track, my mind goes somewhat blank. At least I stay calm, although, in time, when action is demanded of me and I don't know what to do, I get somewhat flustered.

So, when I first saw the kitten, I considered all it would mean to take her - and was daunted. At the same time, there was no way I could leave her to go to a shelter, no matter how humane. They don't have CatCare here in Pretoria, they do, however, have Wollies - a pro-life non-profit organisation. I'm told that's where she would have gone - and she would most likely have found a good home through them. But, since Mynx, I've got this thing about black cats. I did so wish one of Ziva's litter would be black. And I'm told many people are still superstitious about black cats ... honestly?

So, when my colleague said he couldn't take her after all, there wasn't much thinking involved - she'd come with me. Of course, now I'm facing the consequences - and to be totally frank, it's not easy. The disharmony in my home is somewhat daunting and I'll have to somehow take her to the vets two more times for her booster shots and sterilisation. I have to keep her shut inside for three weeks, while at the same time NOT shutting my big mips in - which means that I'm playing doorman all day long. Letting big mips in, letting them out, letting the next one in, letting her out ... 

All this may sound like I regret taking her - I don't. Right now, she's playing with the little round toy, with the ball on a track. She had curled up on the mini scratching post, and I showed her how the balls roll - and she is now thoroughly investigating this toy! And I'm sitting here with a smile from ear to ear, watching her! Taking the odd photo, of course!

But adopting an animal isn't just fun and games! It's a commitment, a life-long commitment at that. And it comes with responsibilities. Not merely fiscal responsibilities, but a lot of time as well. Especially when you already have demanding pets at home. I have more respect for a person who says they can't adopt, than I do for someone who adopts and then neglects.

Oh, Mewthos! I just went to sit with him outside for a bit, then when I went inside he followed - but jumped onto a pile of boxes. Behind that pile there was a gap - it's between two bookshelves, with the wall on one side and the pile of boxes on the other. Yup! He went down into that gap head first ... and couldn't move! He couldn't turn, he couldn't back up ... he just stood there, front paws on the floor, back paws on the boxes! I had to reach in, grab him by the scruff and pull him out - somewhat painfully, I'm afraid! What a goofball!

I had a long cuddle session with mini, while Mewthos Siesta'd on my chair. Then I went to wash the dishes, having to stop half-way to cuddle Janey. I've put the stew on re-heat and I've got a loaf of rye baking in the machine. I decided to try a 700 gr loaf for a change, and used the wholemeal setting - just used 2 cups rye flour and 1 cup wholemeal instead of 3 cups wholemeal. I hope that'll work out.

I've taken a break from all cats and sat outside for a smoke, now I'm back inside and mini wants more cuddles. Janey has strolled outside, as has Mewthos. Ziva also came for her turn, jumped on the bed and came almost nose-to-nose with mini before the first growl started. It was quite funny to watch!

I just gave the garden a thorough watering, and had to stop several times to pick up Mewthos for a cuddle! Prolonged cuddle, like he'd usually only want when I'm sitting on the chair by the table. He'd wriggle to be let down and then almost immediately mip to be picked up yet again. I was sorely tempted to direct the hosepipe on him - he would stroll so close to it anyway, he got quite wet from the spray! But the thought of loosing his trust prevented me. He did, however, play 'catch' with the hosepipe!

The bread is finished, I also baked a half dozen chocolate chip muffins, ate my Weisswurst after I had two more bowls of my delicious stew and then washed all the dishes again. I also spent quite a bit of time playing with mini mip! She still doesn't have a name - but then, it's only been three days, I'd like to get a feel for her 'true' personality, first. Give her some time to feel at ease and get her confidence to be herself. Find out who she is.

My landlord asked me to bake fewer breads - I'd say that's his way of letting me know my electricity is costing more than they expected. I've decided that won't 'solve' the problem and I'd rather pay for the extra electricity. See, the contract is 'electricity included' but I pay for the gas for the stove. Naturally, it was assumed that I would use that for food preparation - however, I am using a lot of electrical appliances as well, like the slow cooker this weekend for the stew, the steamer, etc. And, of course, the bread maker. So, next chance I get, I'll offer to pay for electricity.

I sat outside waiting for my mippies with mini mip in my arms. The little one starts growling every time she sees a mip! Mewthos came for a good, long look - I think he's close to getting ready to make friends. He stood up with his paws on my leg staring at mini in my arms, mini growled a bit but nobody attacked nor did anyone hiss.

Ziva, once again, ran off without touching her treats. She wanted to go outside, but when I wouldn't open the door, she went to her chair in the kitchen. I packed my lunch, packed bread and muffins away and took out another pair of Weisswurst for tomorrows dinner, which will be the last of my stew.

Mini mip is now, once again, playing with the toy she discovered today, pushing the marble around on the track! It is too darling! I think now I'll have a muffin and then retreat to the bed, opening the cuddle cave for any takers!

Photos

Typical Lick-fest! 

Still frightened, hiding under the basin - but hungry!

Coming out to eat even more!

Some scrape she's picked up in her wandering days

Brave and curious!

Teeny little Mini!

This fascinated her no end, once I set the ball rolling!

Mousey!

Saturday

I woke up quite early, but it really was too cold for me to get up, so I waited for daylight - curled up with mini in my arms, snug under the duvet.

I let the big ones out, then fed the mini. Her tummy goes all big like she swallowed a ball, so I will try to give her lots of little doses of food throughout the day, today. I also heard Mewthos emptying her bowl of wet food - I can tell it was Mewthos, because he's the only one who takes the bowl for such long walkies while gobbling!

I'm thinking of naming Mini Gazmo! She is quite gassy after a meal and it ... urgh! Stinks! I'm just trying to think how I could possibly feed her as regularly as she needs, while I'm at work? It wasn't an issue with mine, since their mother was home with them - plus, of course, their surrogate mother. But this one has no mother, and to top it, she has Mewthos stealing her food. Well, she does have dry food available all the time - and maybe, when I get the kitten version, that'll work out better for her?

Oh, I forgot to say that I now have airtime again. Apparently MTN's policy is that clients are allowed to be happy for two years, no longer. Once those two years are up, they will harass clients to change - whether they offer anything that would keep their client happy, or not. If their harassment does not result in their client changing to a less desirable package, they will migrate you to a package of their choosing. So, now I have airtime, but no SMS's. Oh, I think I can still send SMS's but they will cost heavy airtime. Lovely being a client, isn't it?

Anyway, I'm afraid I still have an issue with the washing machine, it's not spinning every time, as it should. On the last part of the cycle, after adding the conditioner (i.e. StaSoft), it doesn't spin. Sigh. I don't quite know what to do - I live so far out, if I want it repaired, I'll probably have to take it to them, they're not likely to come out here to collect. Or, if they do, at an exorbitant fee!

The laptop is not working out well at all. I can write the blog and watch Series', even listen to an audiobook - but I can't do anything else. No Facebook, no game - I just tried, and it crashed three times in a row. Sigh, I really need my PC back! I was able to reply to private messages via Facebook on my birthday, at least, and post an apology for not expressing any gratitude - I normally prefer to thank every one individually for their wishes. I hate these 'thank you for your individual time, here's my one minute I'm willing to spare out of my life in return' messages. 

Oh gosh, as I was typing this, mini mip took a stroll across my lap and jumped ... onto the swivel-lid of my bin! A la Mewthos! Same result! Ha Ha Ha!

I make it a point to spend time outside and inside. Mips come inside, one by one, for a look see and a growl. So I go outside very now and then as well. I watched Janey claw her way onto the roof of the shed at the back, then bent for her to come down via my back. I've watched how she gets down by herself, so I'm not worried - but it was a bonding gesture, which she gracefully accepted!

I've been doling out portions of sachets for mini, and she's cleaned her bowl every time, so far! But at least her tummy doesn't look as if she's swallowed a tennis ball right now! There's still a lot of gas ... urgh ... and I still haven't seen her drink water. Right now she's inspecting the cat carrier.

She's not very active, for her age? She isn't investigating, trying to climb or even trying to get out - I wonder why? Well, it's only her second day in her new home, maybe she's still scared of the big outside and happy to be safe in one place, at least for now. I wonder what her story is? How did she come to live in an industrial area? Homeless? Did someone drop her off on their way to work, when she reached 'adopting' age and nobody took her?

Well, I managed to post a message explaining my absence in the game's Facebook group. I'll try logging on again sometime, but it's really very frustrating.

So far, we've already narrowed the problem with my PC down to either the power supply or the motherboard. My colleague will look for some spares he has at home, to test on my PC on Monday - work permitting. I want to take this opportunity to also see if I can speed up the PC. Sigh, I'll be glad when it's back home, though - I've never liked using a laptop, and this one is in such bad condition, it really is no pleasure. Sigh, I wish I had gotten my tablet already!

I managed to get the laundry spun and hanging to dry - it'll be dry this afternoon. I'm running around between mippies outside and mippy inside, trying to make peace and assuring every one - individually - that I have enough love for each! 

For myself, I've decided to cook myself a soup today. I've looked up some ideas and decided to try the Gruenkohl (which I'm told is kale) with tomatoes and coconut cream. I'd also like to add lentils, as I love them. I want to use up the last of the frozen veggies as well as the last potatoes. I'll cut them into little cubes and let them cook for quite a while. I've taken out one pair of Weisswurst to go with that. I may take out another tomorrow. With all this running from cat to cat to cat to cat, I'm quite exhausted - I feel stretched quite thin.

I've taken a nap with mini mip, who loves my company - probably because I don't growl or hiss at her. I've tried logging into the game a few times again - and the laptop crashed every time. I've chopped up the potatoes, added the orange & nartjies juice as well as half the ginger. I clearly don't have all my spices unpacked, yet, as I couldn't find my cumin. I'm in two minds about unpacking them, since I also don't know where I'd put them, yet.

Well, my stew has turned out very delicious, even the potatoes! I left out the tomatoes, though, the pot was full enough already.

I just placed the order for food for my new mippie - gosh, I had forgotten how expensive kitten food is! I considered getting some milk for her as well, but I'm afraid the cost - on top of everything else - is just more that I'm comfortable with right now. I got her a 2 kg bag of dry kitten food (not mother and kitten, like I got before) a tray of tins of mousse, basically a dozen, and two boxes of sachets. I also got a triple pack of Frontline and two boxes of sachets for my big mippies, since mini is going through them at an alarming rate!

Six o'clock and mippies had their treat - most of which they left in the bowl. Sigh. Not that they don't like it, it's just that there's a strange black little thing also eating, which they object to. Sigh.

Well, I'd like to take another nice long bath before spending the rest of tonight cuddling and reassuring mippies.

Interesting times

Ziva did NOT react well to our new arrival, she gave me serious problems last night. She attempted - to the best of her ability, and she's very clever - to get out! She continued to claw up and down the mesh of my windows, trying to chew her way out. Eventually I dosed her with Calmeze!

Janey went and curled up in the bathroom, hiding behind the curtains and Mewthos took up his guard post. Not a one came for cuddles or mipped for attention or lovies!

On a positive note, it meant that I had the bed pretty much to myself - no game of twister to find space for myself in the bed, ha ha! The Mini curled up on my duvet quite happily. The only thing which worries me, is that I haven't seen her drink, yet. I haven't seen her take in any liquids whatsoever! And with her loose stool, that's somewhat worrying. But she's eating lots of wet food and very little dry food, so I hope that will change.

At least this morning Mewthos came and crawled under the duvet for a cuddle with me!

I put some water into a bowl on the floor for her, in case the water fountain is intimidating her - there's lots of water sources for my mippies throughout the flat, so I'm not panicking. Her bowl was quite low this morning, so perhaps she drank during the night.

At one point I wondered whether that old wives tale, of cats avoiding a sick cat, may be true - that pretty much describes how mine are reacting to our new member. They are not going near her! I think Ziva may fear the mini could try to nurse on her, since she really is very young.

I've left them alone and together today - there has been no attack, so I don't think there will be one during my absence. But I'll be glad to get home and I'm also glad that it's weekend - giving me time to help them get to know each other.

At work ... sigh ... my store lady took a wrong step and twisted her ankle. And she had recently broken that leg - so she's on her way to hospital now. Not a dull moment all week, eh? I do hope she'll be fine, she is such a lovely, cheerful personality!

I don't like the term 'storeman' or 'store lady' ... in fact, I don't like the term 'store'. It sounds like some walk-in corner shop, unprofessional and lackadaisical. Which is how things had been here, before I arrived, but now? I think it's time we upgrade. Also, 'storeman' or lady implies unskilled 'booking in and out, nothing more'; whereas I need someone skilled, thinking and designing systems. I just can't do everything myself, and until now, I've been the only one making any suggestions for improvement. Nothing has come from anyone else, except the lady now working in the store - our system of bin labeling was her creation!

I had ordered eggs for my landlady, and - sigh - they'll only arrive at three, so I have to wait for them. I'm a little worried about mini mip with the big one's being so intolerant.

When I got into the car - urgh! I had put the dust coat, they had placed in the box with her yesterday, into my car and boah! Does it just stink! Mini hadn't just widdled on it, but poofied as well - and hers still stink! Especially as it's all liquid!

On the way home, I stopped to buy milk but, alas, nobody's home. I considered stopping on my way home yesterday, but he's got large dogs and I don't know how they'd react to a kitty in my arms - it would have just been to complicated.

At home, not a mip in the window! Only when I got out of the car, after I parked, did Mewthos show up! I shut the front door before opening the passage door, as I don't want mini to get out, yet - and she was right behind them! Ha Ha! But she stayed in the passage, so I could shut that door and let my mob out.

The flat looked as if a tornado had been through it! Just about everything off the kitchen table was on the floor - fortunately, I had taken my cups off the table this morning. This morning I found my frying pan on the floor, so I figured they are being naughty to let me know they are not happy. I had forgotten to take the small bowl off the table, though, I got lucky: it was still on the table.

In the bedroom, the cat carrier has been overturned, not much else seems out of place, though. I gave mini a sachet - she finished the entire sachet! So I gave her some more, and she ate some of that, too! I also re-filled her water bowl and put that next to her food bowl, but I've not seen her not touching it.

Last night, I noticed a place on her right front leg where her hair appears to have been shaved off? The skin is quite red, so I don't know how that happened. I cleaned it and put some ointment on it. I hope it'll heal.

Then I called my store lady. I'm afraid she's torn a ligament! Ouch! Apparently they want to operate tomorrow. Otherwise she's feeling okay, for now. I asked her to send me a 'please call me' after her operation, when she's up to talking, so I can call her to find out how she's doing.

I've also put the poofied clothes into the machine, they're washing now. Funny thing, on that setting, the machine is spinning without any problem! I wonder why it isn't spinning anymore on the 'Delicate' setting.

I've been sitting cuddling mini mip most of the afternoon. I knocked on the door and gave my land lady her eggs, she picked up mini and took her to show her husband and mother-in-law. Mini is not afraid of any humans, nor of the dogs - and the dogs aren't going for her, either!

Mini still smells somewhat of poofies. She could do with a proper cleaning from another cat - I guess that's asking too much! Ha Ha! I've brushed her and I'm doing my best to clean her, it won't be much longer till she will smell of clean cat. Poor mite!


Some time after five, I went to sit outside to wait for big mips. Mini mip doesn't like to be left alone - and she also sits quite still in my arms, outside, so I took her with me. Ha Ha, every time she saw one of the big cats, she started growling! I discouraged that as much as I could, but yeah - the growling starts with her, the big ones follow.

I was somewhat worried about Ziva, after her performance last night - what if she decides to look for a new home? But - as usual - I was going from pimple-to-funeral at top speed. She came home, as always, and when all my mips were gathered, we went inside. Very early, tonight - it wasn't even six, yet!

I dispensed their treats - and Ziva wouldn't eat hers! She saw mini mip and just sat glaring at her, growling, occasionally hissing, then stalked off in a huff. She hadn't even touched her treat! Mewthos, of course, gobbled, though even he didn't clear his bowl, nor any of the others. Janey wouldn't even come ... when she did, she just looked at mini, growled, and only had a few kibbles. She did come later, though, and ate somewhat.

I cooked my dinner, which I shared - in our usual fashion - with my big mippies! Mini mip is too small - though she does help herself to what she finds in the dish on the floor, but only after big mips have left. I spent a lot of time scratching Ziva's ears on her chair in the kitchen, and even brought her treat bowl to her. I think she got the message that she won't be neglected. Maybe that is how she came to be homeless in the first place?

Well, I spent the entire evening with Ziva in her cuddle cave - till way past ten at night! At one point, mini came to investigate, but Ziva growled to let her know this is HER space. Mini curled up on the duvet behind my leg. There was occasional growling, but they both respected each others space - and Ziva did not go berserk again, like last night!

Mip, mip, mip, and new Mippie!

I got to work nice and early, as I was about to open the store ... I heard a meow! I went to investigate and found a beautiful young black cat in our humane trap! And she loves cuddles! Neither shy nor aggressive towards humans. She looks so much like Mynx! Pitch black from her tail to the tip of her nose! And green eyes, just like Mynx!

One of the guys decided to take her home, but - as he has three dogs, who have never seen a cat, his parents said it would be a bad idea. So, I was called. I took her out of the make-shift box they had placed her in, to keep her in the office, rather than outside - and she cuddled and purred up a storm! She appears to be a shoulder cat, like Janey. She's happiest in my arms - no chance of putting her back in the box! Anyway, she had widdled in the box and refused to go back in there - with no means to cover it!

An appointment was made at Onderstepoort, the veterinarian training facility of Pretoria University, and off I went. My store-lady is back today and confident she can cope, so I'll take the rest of the day off to get new Mip on friendly terms with my mippies.

I put my hoodie on backwards and she curled up in the hood. She didn't enjoy the drive much, and would have preferred to be out, on my shoulder or somewhere, but I firmly held her in her place and - as long as I scratch her ears - she's quiet there.

At the vet's they got her a little box, and weighed her. Poor thing weighs only 1.8kg! Then she pooped in the box, all liquid, poor thing! The vet isn't sure of her age - as ferals are usually smaller, she could be anything from 3-6 months. They took some blood and tested her for leukemia and cat aids - I'm happy to report, both tests came back negative! Then she got her first batch of vaccinations. She's due back for a follow-up in a month and a final booster a month after that.

As they are not sure of her age, they couldn't book her for sterilisation, yet - but I'll make an appointment soon. I just checked, Janey went in March, when she was five months, so we'll see how old this one turns out to be at her next visit, hopefully!

At home, new mip crawled into the first box she could find and was investigated. First Ziva approached cautiously, though with bushy tail and hair standing up, sniffed near the box, growled and stalked off in a huff. Janey just went bushy and wouldn't go near her, Mewthos growled and bushed as well. But nobody attacked.

My mips ran away to watch from a safe distance while I opened a sachet, put food into each of their bowls - which they ignored - then put food in a bowl for new mip, which I then placed inside the shelf under the sink, where she had retreated. After she had eaten, I pulled her out and placed her in the litter box. She sniffed around a bit, then dug a hole and dropped a load. Still soft, but no longer liquid! From there, I picked her up again and showed her the water fountain - but she wasn't thirsty. She went back under the sink and curled up to nap.

She answers when I talk to her, and purrs up a storm, but she's tired, so I'm letting her sleep. I decided to let my mips outside, I don't want them to feel punished - or associated anything negative with the arrival of our new family member. I went and watered the garden, then sat outside for a while.

I come inside to check no our new mip, always the same: answering mip, purr engine on full throttle, get up, look at me, then curl up again. Happy! I had opened a second sachet, gave some into each mip bowl - which none of them have even looked at, yet - and gave more to her. She ate some more, but is clearly full now. I also re-filled the FIT 32 dispenser - which my mippies also ignored. Sigh. I think I'll get another bag of the kitten kibbles. Mine no longer like it, but new mip should enjoy it. I'll also get a tray of the cans - my mippes still go crazy over that, so it'll be a nice association.

I started the bread maker, no reason I should wait now. And I'm somewhat tired, too - not sure whether I might join mippie for a nap! Only ... I can't do that! My mippies are shut out - I can't risk new mip getting out, yet. And my mips aren't coming in, so ...

Still, not a good idea to sleep in the afternoon, I might have trouble sleeping through the night. And I also cannot let my mippies feel shut out, so I should get to the door when they mip outside.

Okay, so far, my mips are still sulking. We're not making friends with new mip, we growl and hiss at her. This is going to be an interesting night! And I haven't seen Mewthos in ages! Sigh.

I've spent a lot of the afternoon with new mip sleeping in my arms - she is just too cute to let her sleep alone! I've even taken her outside so I could have a smoke. She gets somewhat restless, so I take her to the litter box and she drops another plop plop plop. Getting more solid every time, I'm happy to report.

She's now sleeping the the armchair! Janey came inside, had a look and stalked off in a huff - but no hissing nor growling, this time! As I said, it will be an interesting night! I'll update y'all tomorrow!

Wednesday

I had a good night's sleep and woke up early. It was unexpectedly warm today, when I left at six it was already eleven degrees! As I drove, when I got to the 'cold spot' it was still 8 1/2 degrees, and when I parked at work 10 1/2 degrees.

At work, I'm feeling so much more at ease ... I realised it's simply because I no longer have to work for two! I can simply do my work, without having to micro-manage my sole employee and without constant worry of what I'll find next. I also had a chat with our HR, illuminating her to just how we've been played. I also asked how the situation would have played out if the genders were reversed - and would you know, that exact same thing HAS happened, not very long ago - and the woman no longer works here!

I also learned that the reason most staff gave for not wanting to work in the store started with 'he says ...' as in, what my ex storeman said. Yet it was relayed to me as 'nobody wants to work with you'! Anyway, I feel better.

On the way home I wondered "does the sun set so much later already? It's not even been a week since the solstice?" Turns out that I was just early! I left a few minutes early and got lucky and missed the traffic. Mippies confirmed that I was unexpectedly early, when not a one sat in the kitchen window on the lookout for my arrival! Ziva showed up when I rattled the gate, though. So they were all 'on their marks' and 'set' to zoom, zoom, zoom! when I opened the passage door.

Oh, and I found out why I'm out of airtime: since my contract 'expired' such a long time ago, they've now cancelled it or something. They've wiped all the airtime which had rolled over from past months. So now I'd better figure out what I'll do. First, though, I had better make sure my number won't be cancelled. Sigh. It really is NOT my week, is it?

Well, I've packed the PC into the car, hopefully a colleague can help - I asked him today, he said he'll gladly help, work permitting.

I had dinner tonight - but I don't have any bread left to make lunch for tomorrow, so I'm packing the leftover dinner. I've also got everything ready to start baking a loaf tomorrow - I'll try the same thing I did last week, only, this time, I'll start it, too!

Right now mippies are insisting it is time I tend to them ....

Tuesday

Wow! Yesterday I spoke to my storeman about his sub-standard work, today he laid a complaint against me! He bluffed with an empty hand and won! He just whined how he 'can't work with me anymore'; had no example or instant or anything substantial - and he got his wish: he's demoted to operator! I just don't know what to say ... 

Well, on the positive side, one of the operators was promoted to store ... uhm, woman :) Well, she called it a promotion, so I can only assume that my ex storeman's move should be a demotion?

Anyway, she's been in the store only one afternoon and has already made some improvements! So, I'm happy with the result!

I'm still so busy, it's just not funny. I really don't know where to start. The trouble is, that, no sooner do I implement a system that operations change and the new system no longer fits. And then, instead of going forward and turning data into a report, I find myself back at square one, designing a data collection system.

At home, I sat outside relaxing while my mippes ran around playing. Then I gave them their treat - oh, and their food was delivered today! And then I tried switching on the PC ... poof! Nothing. Not starting. This is NOT my week!

So I showered, then packed my lunch for tomorrow - and I just don't feel like dinner. And then I fiddled for half an hour setting up the laptop. Sigh. That, of course, gave me some trouble as well - but, as you can see, here I am!

I was able to pay my rent, so that's done. But I don't like using the laptop at the best of times, so typing up my blog is about all I have the patience for. You'd think a laptop would be mobile, so I could sit on the bed ... but this one gets too hot too fast, so: no way! I can't even leave it flat on a surface, I have to put something underneath or it could burn the desk top. But at least I can put on an audiobook and watch an episode - at the moment I'm into 'Boston Legal'.

And now it's time for cuddle cave ...

Birthday

I did not feel like getting out of bed this morning, it's just too unpleasantly cold! Mippies, however, started bouncing off the walls quite early, so: no rest for the wicked.

At work, my ploy to have my birthday forgotten, failed. Sigh. Which means that at some point today the whole blerry company will assemble for a happy-clappy sing-song. I find that such a slap in the face, I tried to avoid it. Sigh.

Bit of a miffy situation at work with a childish, cantankerous sulking employee. His performance is below standard - he CAN do better - but he feels he's doing his best. There's nothing to discuss. What frustrates me so much is all the 'I was gonna ...' I hear whenever I 'catch' an incomplete job; or 'I forgot'. I've spoken to him about that over and over again, but nothing changes. It's as if everyone's motto is "Never time to do it right ... won't bother to do it over unless I'm caught" because when they have time, everyone's chit-chatting or playing on their phones. And that approach applies to almost the entire company ... I feel like I'm farting against thunder!

Anyway, I'm at home, trying to write this blog, but mippies won't let me, so I'll finish it tomorrow at work. 

When I got home, all three mippies were on the lookout for me in the kitchen window! When I see that, I always smile and feel 'now, all is well. I'm home with my loved ones.' No matter what happened during the day or what is still ahead, that moment, every day, is wonderful!

Mippies zoomed out like three dark streaks - it's such a funny sight! It makes me smile just about every day. Zoom, Zoom, Zoom! But don't let that fool you - if I do NOT join them outside, they start coming inside to look for me, mipping at me to come out with them. Today, I obliged right away.

I decided to call Rose. It's been such a long time since we talked and I miss her. She had sent me birthday wishes from herself, Frankie, Shadow and Romeo - all three are doing well. Shadow is growing true to her name and shadows Rose with few romps around the block. She's getting along with Frankie - they may not love each other, but they respect each other and don't fight. Romeo has learned that he's not welcome indoors, and patiently sits outside waiting for his food. He still caterwauls and sprays occasionally, but at least he no longer does it inside.

Mippies patiently waited for me to get off the phone before letting me know that it's time for their treat! I had to put out my cigarette as they insisted it is time NOW, not in a minute, but now!

For myself, I made some Pasta with frozen veggies and added a tin of tomatoes and coconut cream. Mippies were very disappointed that there was nothing for them to taste - I went to look and they had already cleaned their bowls! So I gave them another sachet.

I still get my Mew-Mew kisses every day before dispensing treats. He stands at the side of the counter with his face turned up to me, I just grab his chin and kiss his nose. He loves it! He's the only one who does, though - Ziva and Lady just turn away, ha ha!

I decided to give them some nippies as well last night ... funny thing happened: Mewthos and Ziva were sitting on the scratcher, gobbling their nippies, then I heard some disagreement between them, then it went silent. Next I heard a thud! I went to look, and Mewthos was lying stretched out NEXT to the scratcher! Apparently he just toppled over and thudded on the floor! Fortunately it's not high - but ... how can a cat fall of a 1x1m board? Only Mewthos! I had a really good laugh at that.

I spent the rest of the evening tending to cuddle caves. First Ziva crawled under the duvet to get her chin and ears scratched, Lady came to investigate, but won't disturb. She settled by my feet outside the cuddle cave. When Ziva had her fill, it was time to tickle Janey's tummy! All in all, I spent at least an hour with my girls!

Mewthos took up his post as guard-cat by the front door. He just loves it there nowadays. Twice I fetched him and carried him to bed, but he wasn't in the mood and just went back. He woke me around two this morning, though, mewling for me to open the duvet so he can curl up against my tummy (I sleep on my side). And I spent about half an hour tickling his tummy, scratching his ears, his chin - he is so big!

Predictably, I overslept the morning. Half past six had gone before I woke up, so I just sent a message to work and took my time getting ready. Well, not really, since I'm not really one for leisurely mornings at the best of times. I got to work about half past seven, so, no worries.

Sunday

I had a good night, at last! I woke up quite early and snuggled under the covers till about six. Mippies wanted out, but I made them wait until there was at least a little light outside.

As always, I let them out and they come back in to demand my presence outside. Sorry, mippies, but it's too cold! It's now nearly eight and it's barely two degrees outside!

I decided to tackle the kitchen floor today, not just washing them, but also scraping off paint drops and such, which has been bugging me ever since I moved in. Other than that, I didn't feel like doing much.

My landlord came with some frost cover for my veggies - hopefully they'll survive the cold front I'm told is ahead.

I decided to just take a quick shower today, for a change, and washed the dishes I had used today, so the kitchen is still sparkling clean. Some mip decided to help themselves to my lunch - clawed open the clingwrap and fished out a few butterbeans ... then decided they're not vegetarians and left them on the counter! I've no idea which mip - but I suspect Ziva!

Now I'll open the cuddle cave before going to sleep.

Actionless day

Yeah, that moving furniture around I had planned for today? Not going to happen, I'm afraid.

I had a bad night, starting with an upset stomach late evening - I'm guessing my colon decided to remind me that it is 'delicate'. I didn't eat anything 'wrong', but the Buletten were made of pork mince - on rare occasions my insides decide to react violently to pork. I guess last night was one of those times.

I then had a restless night - I woke up again around three and couldn't go back to sleep. I was up at least an hour. Then I had some very strange dreams, I don't remember most of them, but there's the image of a giraffe standing by my bed! A giraffe! Where did that come from? It was clearly a giraffe, but behaved like a cat - trying to get into the bed to curl up!

I finally woke up past eight! All three mippies curled up on my feet! They were very patient about my sleeping late. I opened the door for them, they dashed outside happily - but came back to be with me! I made myself coffee, followed by breakfast: two slices of bread with black currant jam! None of which alleviated the headache I woke up with, though.

I wasn't up to much activity, feeling somewhat dizzy and quite out of sorts. I got the laundry done - still having trouble with the machine's spin cycle,though. I had to hang it outside. I also made myself burrito for lunch - not much to brag about, just frying mince and adding the prepared sachets. I did, however, add the tin of butter beans I've had for a long time - which probably wasn't the smartest move, considering last night's experience. I don't know what possessed me to buy that in the first place.

I ate like I've been starving for a week! But the headache remains, I'm afraid. Not exactly much of a headache, just a feeling of pressure - which moves around. Sometimes it's the back of my head, other times above my eyes.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll feel better. I've just taken another luxurious bath followed by a bowl of ice cream - shared with my mippies, of course! Now I'll open the cuddle cave and hope for a good night's sleep.

Solstice

Friday! Weyhey! As a friend of mine would say!

Funny incident last night: my landlord came and asked what glass broke that morning?!? Apparently he heard glass breaking in the early hours of Thursday morning - I can't remember whether he said half four or half past four - and then I got up and rowed with the mippies. I'm quite puzzled, since I do not remember anything like that. After he had left, I seemed to have some vague memory of hearing glass break ... but there isn't any broken glass anywhere in the flat. And I don't remember getting up and definitely not talking, let alone rowing, with my mippies. I did get up to go to the bathroom, but I don't remember any of the other activities.

The only way mippies could possibly break anything - well, except for Mewthos, of course - is to topple a box with breakables. I can't think of any other possibility. Of course, Mewthos could have found something - he's quite unique in what and how he breaks stuff, but surely I would have found some evidence? And I have looked everywhere - nothing. It's a mystery.

I woke up quite early this morning and left early, and promptly took a wrong turn - or rather, forgot to take a right turn! So I had to reverse! On the highway! Fortunately it was by a tollgate, so traffic wasn't at top speed anymore, but still. I was not pleased with myself.

At work I spent the best part of the day trying to come up with a formula to prioritise orders, experimenting with complex array formulae, nested if-functions, etc ... only to solve it with a simple countifs formula! Still an array formula, but a simple one.

Nowadays, when it's time to go, I drop my pen. I used to at least finish what I was doing, but why bother? It's not like I have a deadline and I'd rather spend my time at home, even when I'm immersed in a fascinating puzzle. Since I'm no longer involved in production, there's absolutely no control over production - people now come to the store wanting raw materials, but can't tell me what they want it for. They are supposed to have a job number, which is what we use in lieu of a requisition ... but nobody bothers anymore, so I end up having to search for the information myself. I'm getting somewhat tired of that - which is where this spreadsheet report I'm working on, comes in. I've also been without my storeman since Wednesday, he's off with the Flu. He came in today looking like death warmed up, so he went back home.

Oh, and I also got half a dozen farm fresh eggs today! My boss' wife misunderstood and thought I had placed an order - no problem, though, I'll find a use for them!

Back at home, first thing I did was water the garden - some of my herbs were drooping again, poor things! This morning, as I was driving to work, something scary happened - no, not my reversing! I mean on my dashboard, where it shows the temperature, a symbol looking like a snowflake lit up! Never seen that before - and I hope I never do again! It was about 4 degrees when that symbol came on, and by around 8 degrees it went off again. Funny thing though, yesterday on my way to work - even though I was an hour late - temperatures dropped to 2,5 degrees at one point! No scary symbols, though. What does that have to do with my garden? Well, it just shows that temperatures drop quite low, possibly even below zero during the night - so, if I water in the evenings, that water would freeze during the night.

I considered setting up a dough for rolls, but I'd have to clean the machine first. It's not a lot of work, but more than I feel like today. I've still got some potatoes to add to my dinner and I still have most of the loaf I baked Wednesday night, so I'm set for breakfast as well.

Janey demanded cuddles quite persistently, so I took the opportunity - after some cuddling - to cut off her collar and dose her with Frontline. Mewthos still looks like he's got a collar on, after what? Two? Three weeks? Just the way his fur is laying around his neck now.

I sat outside for a bit, but I was feeling so tired, I was tempted to go to bed - so I started pulling some grass out. When it was time for mippies to come in, I ran myself a bath and took my sweet time in it.

Afterwards, I had an idea how I could hopefully start turning my store-room into the lounge it should be - if I can move the sleeper couch next to the front door, that'll be a start. I've measured and it should work. Let's hope I feel up to this massive task tomorrow. It'll give me some more room in the bedroom. I'm not sure how that'll help in the lounge - but it's somewhere to start. It's the one source of unhappiness in my life right now, that the indoors isn't really 'home' yet. Not much unhappiness, mind, just some. Like a teeny tiny thorn in my side, nothing more.

Well, I think mippies would like some cuddles - last night they had a lengthy lick-fest at the foot of my bed! AFTER getting heaps of cuddles from me, of course.

And from tomorrow onwards, the days will get longer! Finally! Within about a month, I should get to see my garden after work! Weyhey!

Thursday

At work I'm still obsessing over the spreadsheets - I'm quite enjoying myself, though! I keep thinking 'there must be a simpler way to do this', then I google and learn heaps more! And I feel that I'm making progress, which keeps me motivated.

Back at home, mippies had a lovely run outside while I sat and watched. I did get milk on the way home. Tomorrow is Solstice, so finally, finally the days stop getting shorter and start getting longer again! I can't wait till I'm able to see my garden in daylight after work!

There's not much else to tell, my head is still in my spreadsheet while my body grabs and cuddles mippies. I've eaten, got my lunch packed, so I think I had better tend to mippies now. Mewthos has been 'tapping me on the shoulder' since I sat down! He does that by standing up stretching as high as he can, putting his paws on the back of my chair until he reaches me - he nearly reaches my shoulder when he does that! And he mewls, of course! Wouldn't be Mewthos without the annoying mewl!

Wednesday

Poor Ziva tried to crawl into a cuddle cave that wasn't there! She tried to crawl into a fold of the duvet, rather than underneath it. Of course I held it open for her and she curled up purring happily while I scratched her chin, cheeks and ears for ... oh, a long time!

Janey keeps investigating this cuddle cave thing, but she doesn't really like being beneath the duvet - she likes heights, not caves. She always curls up by my feet - which makes it quite tricky for me to reach her.

Mewthos came sirening at top volume until he settled under the duvet by my side and I had to tickle his tummy, scratch his ears and chin and get lots of Mew-Mew kisses! I haven't found any ticks on him since I've dosed him with that Advantage stuff, so that's good. Maybe it's time to switch Janey as well - as I said, I'm not totally at peace with cats wearing collars. Mewly has another mark on his head - I can feel it, but can't quite figure out what it is. It's dry, so I guess a scab? He also has a mark across his nose - I have absolutely no clue what he did to himself there! Oh, and he tends to catch the fence on his back, so he has a mark at the back near his tail. But no ticks - let's focus on the good news!

I woke up rather late this morning, but decided to still set the bread machine - I should have a fresh loaf ready when I get home! I got to work two minutes before seven, so still on time.

I've changed over from Tonic Water to plain water at work. I'm still thinking of getting myself a thermos and bringing milk - but maybe I should stick to water? I'll see how it goes.

Bit of an oopsie at home: turns out you don't just have to program the bread maker, you also have to start it! Ha Ha! Yeah, I know, obvious! Since the yeast was already active, I decided to start it now - without the delay. My bread should be ready just after nine - I hope I'll still be up to switch it off.

Next, I set up the potatoes and gem squash - but the potatoes weren't very nice, they were somewhat glassy. I suppose they got some frost at some point. Pity, but at least they're still edible. Mippies demanded their share, so I put a fork full into their bowl. Mewthos gobbled ... but I think it was only because he'd made such a nuisance of himself while I was preparing them. Sort of like he was making up for his over enthusiasm. The gem squash wasn't very nice, either. Can't win them all!

After dinner it was time for cuddles! Sheez they are a cuddly lot! All three were on the bed, Lady and Mewthos on each side of my feet and Ziva had crawled into her cuddle cave. The only problem we're having is the sparks caused by jerseys mixed with cat hair! It gets quite sparky at times!

I was still awake and up when the bread was finished, although I was finding it difficult to keep my eyes open. But I switched off the machine, took the loaf out of the pan and went back to bed.

And woke up at twenty to six! Yeah, no 'nearly' about today, I'm unavoidably late today. But, that's no problem - I simply sent an sms! Now I'm enjoying my coffee while finishing my blog. Last night I was called to bed and not allowed out again, ha ha!

Feels like Monday

I had put on two episodes of Enterprise and curled up in bed ... and promptly fell asleep. Mippies came for cuddles, I had Ziva in my arms for some twenty minutes getting her ears scratched! I had brought the mouse to bed, and when I turned over during the night, it moved and powered up the PC! I just ignored it.

I woke around three and dozed till half six. No Mewlarm this morning. Had my coffee and went to work.

At work ... not much to tell. Oh, a colleague likes Kumquats, so I'll bring them for him tomorrow.

Back at home I seem to have an unexpected supply of energy!?! Weird, eh? Once my mippies were back inside - quite early - I got busy in the kitchen. I made my lunch for tomorrow and cooked dinner. While that was cooking, I prepared a loaf of wholemeal bread - I added the liquids in the pot and prepared the dry ingredients in a bowl. So now I just have to add that to the pot, then measure and add the yeast and I can start the machine.

I worked out that, if I delay it by eight hours, starting tomorrow around six, then it should be finished as I get home - which avoids it 'keeping warm' for an hour, which I consider purely a waste of electricity.

I also took out the steamer, so, tomorrow night I just have to cut potatoes and a gem squash in half, fill the steamer and start it.

Dinner was happily shared! Mippies were very happy I ate something they could share again! They're not greedy. Well, Mewthos maybe, a little. Janey is usually the first to walk off, followed by Ziva not long after. Mewthos is always the last. First to arrive and last to leave! They simply leave when they're happy. After all, they've just had their treat, so it's not a matter of hunger.

As I sat here typing, they mipped quite a bit. I followed Mewthos and Ziva, who showed me that they've cleaned all three bowls! So I gave them another sachet.

And now they want cuddles, so I had better retire to the bed ... I may not get up again, so I'll publish now.

Off day off

I felt totally listless most of today. I did the bare minimum, every task felt like a major chore - but all that needed to be done got done. Mippies spent most of the day outside, except when they napped with me. Now I'm ready for bed, and I'm not looking forward to tomorrow.

Sunday

I ignored the Mewlarm and the alarm and stayed snug and warm under the duvet till past seven! Mippies were quite restless by then, though, so I let them out. Mewthos and Ziva have gone off ... Janey is back here playing the 'pick me up, let me down' game.

Next Mewthos comes sirening in at top volume and last Ziva tells me about all the things she saw outside and how she now wants her ears scratched. They are such confident kitties, never afraid to make demands, always confident that I love them so much that I'll always want them near me. I can shout at them, when I'm just feeling too crowded - which has no noticeable effect.

Two observations: Remember those jobs I left for winter? Because it was too hot to move in summer, and in winter it would warm me up? Yeah, not doing them. It's too cold to get started, ha ha! Funnily enough, I do this every year! Leave jobs for winter, then in winter leave them for summer.

The second observation goes hand in hand with the first: Usually, I'm very good at putting myself in someone else's shoes. I have a good imagination, and with all the books I've read in my life-time, I've lived in some very strange shoes indeed! I also have a lot of experience, having been in both positions of most situations. This is a bit of a handicap during an argument, though, since I tend to get so well into the other person's shoes, that I forget my own! Anyway, here's the problem: In winter, I simply can NOT put myself into my OWN shoes in summer! Nor vice versa! I simply cannot imagine being hot, when I'm actually cold (like now), nor can I imaging freezing, when I'm hot! Even though I actually also have a very good memory. Funny, eh?

For breakfast I've decided to experiment. I have too much bread on my hands at the moment - ha ha, I wonder why? Well, I defrosted a loaf during the week, but used only half of it, and then - silly me - I went and baked a french loaf yesterday. Well, I hate waste, yet I don't feel like the sourdough bread on weekends, for breakfast. Hence, my experiment.

Many, many years ago, when I was working in the centre of Pretoria, I used to enjoy something from Juicy Lucy. It's bread topped with some melted cheese mix. It used to be delicious, so I've tried to make my own today. I took two slices of the sourdough bread, then mixed an egg with some garlic butter and grated cheese until it was more of a thick spread than liquid. Then put that in the oven, covered with foil - and that's my breakfast! It turned out quite yummy!

Sigh, I can't get the washing machine to spin! I've put the second load in and when I wanted to hang it up, it's still soaking wet. I put the machine on 'spin only' - no change. Same thing again right now, it starts turning, but just won't spin! Ah, now it's spinning ... but not draining water at the same time? Sigh. I guess I'd better hang it up however it comes out after this last attempt ...

Sigh, it's sopping wet! I don't get it, the first load did spin properly, why not this one? Well, I think I'll try cleaning the lint trap. And I really, really wanted to do a third load - the last of the bed sheets from last weekend! Crap! Well, it's hanging outside, so I hope it'll dry before the end of the day - although it will probably be hard, rather than soft. Crap, crap, crap.

After laundry, time for a nap. Mippies are all napping on my bed or the arm chair, so, why not join them.

I woke up and curled around Ziva for a cuddle when there was a knock on the door. My landlady offered me some of the fruits from their garden: Oranges, Naartjies, Kumquats and pecan nuts!

I check on the laundry and some can already come inside - which means that I have to fold and pack laundry on the same day as I wash it! Ha Ha Ha! Let's not make a habit of that, though! The socks are the last to dry, though ...

I've taken the rubbish out, cleaned the bin, re-filled the cleaner (urgh! remind me to never, ever get a re-fill again! It's such a mess, it's not worth the small cost saving!). And then I decided to tackle that horrid washing machine lint trap. Kitchen floor now looks like a mud pool! There wasn't much lint in the trap, though - it didn't need cleaning, yet. Not for quite a while, actually ... so ... now what could be the problem? Sigh. I'll try washing the sheets, see how that goes ...

Uh uh! I started the machine and water gushed out the lint trap ... because silly me hadn't closed it properly! It gushed under the door into the landlord's passage, I'm afraid. I knocked, but they seem to be outside where they can't hear me. Sigh.

I washed the dishes and half-way through the landlord answered my knock - luckily no water went into their place! I washed the mippies flower fountain and when I put it back together, some water spilled onto the floor - not my day today, is it?

Well, all my clothes are dry and inside. I've now put my goulash on warm, but what's really bugging me is just how filthy my floors look right now. That will have to be tomorrow's mission, though - it's nearly five and I don't feel like doing any more work. I also still have to cut, re-pack and freeze the cold meats I got Friday. Sigh. Lots of sighing today.

At least I enjoyed the last of my goulash! And for desert, I had my cherries! Yummy!

Mippies came in and now it's time for cuddlies on the bed ...