Timeline

Often, the periods between my blog posts are either filled with negative things I'd rather not talk about or negative space -- nothing at all to talk about.

This time, it's been absolutely crazy around here.  I kept thinking, "I need to blog this," only to decide that sleep was a more effective use of my time.  But so much has happened and is about to happen that I feel I need to document.  So here is a timeline of the past two weeks and the next five weeks:

The Past Two Weeks:

May 10: Graduation Day!!  Celebrated by Park Hopping with Mom

May 11: Mother's Day -- celebrated with Mom

May 13: Got a call to schedule a job interview

May 14: 14th Company anniversary -- celebrated by going to the doctor. (I'm fine)

May 15: Job interview

May 17: Return to Magic Kingdom, this time to get a sneak-peek of the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride with Cindy, a former intern who worked on the project over the past year. (that's her screaming next to me in the photo to the left. Kat, who was an apprentice at DAK a few years back, is behind my right shoulder)  The ride is great, and I'd say a wait of up to 40-60 minutes is acceptable.  The queue is shaded and has activities.  While at MK, I also did the Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion, TTA, and had a Dole Whip.

May 19 (morning): First day of grad school! 

May 19 (afternoon): JOB OFFER!!

May 20-23: Flurry of work-related activities, including trying to wrap up projects, tell people I'm leaving, make sure my area's training compliance doesn't crash & burn while there's no one in my position, learning about my new position... and of course, still trying to get through my normal daily tasks while my head is 8,000 other places at once!

Today/Tomorrow: 

Homework for week one. This includes 2 essays, a quiz, reading 4 chapters in textbooks, and watching a 40-minute movie.  

Next Week:

Monday: Memorial Day; planning to spend it getting ahead on next week's homework so that next weekend I can knock out as much of the following week's homework as possible

Wednesday: getting fingerprinted. 

Some other day: take my car to the dealership to get her road trip ready

Weekend: lots of homework, laundry, and maybe try to start packing

Week of June 1:

Last week in my current job!  Currently, my plans are to work Sun-Thurs (or work 4 10-hour shifts Mon-Thurs).  I'm going to need to pack and move all of my personal stuff out of the office.  There's a lot, including a large metal zebra, race bibs, and a bunch of stuff on the wall.

Thursday: Last day at DAK.  Potluck with my team. I'm planning to be a soggy sobbing mess by Thursday afternoon.

Friday: Leave for vacation early morning*

Saturday: Arrive in Philly in time to pick up my race packet for ODDyssey, spend the night in the city

Weeks of June 8 & 15:

Sunday 6/8: ODDyssey Half Marathon, head over to Jackie's house (my home base for these weeks)

Rest of the time: Bum around PA/NJ, catch up with as many friends and family as possible, do homework, possible trip up to NYC, eat LOTS of pizza, bagels, Chinese...

Week of June 22:

Traveling to Penn State for week-long summer intensive "Seminar in Employment Relations" class on campus.  If not for everything else going on in my life right now, this would be the highlight of my summer.  I'll be staying on campus (in a dorm building that wasn't there when I left 14 years ago), spending most of each day in class, and actually interacting and networking with my classmates.

June 28-29: Drive home

June 30: Start my new job

It's far too much to process logically.  The best I can do right now is to keep breathing, make lots of to-do lists as things pop into my head, and do my best to stop and enjoy the ride whenever possible.  I'm sure I'll check in between now and the end of June, but at least now you know where I'll be!

*Yes, I'm leaving home for three weeks.  Scott is going to be staying here, enjoying some roommate-free living and cuddling with the kitties.  I'm so glad our friendship is "ok" enough that he's willing to do that for me.

Christmas Then and Now

2008: Kitten Elphie's first exposure to fake evergreen:

2011 (this morning): As I was up on the step ladder putting the angel on top of the tree, Elphie jumped up to help. She stayed there long enough for me to take this picture, and then when I carried the step ladder away from temptation.

Some things never change! (Except for her size, because man she is a GIANT!)

Vocal Exercises

Whether or not you enjoy (or even appreciate) opera, I don't think it's possible to watch this video without at least admiring the control and discipline it takes to sing a song like this... and to make it look like you're having so much fun while you do it.



Incidentally, I found this song while flipping through YouTube for another song that Elphie might like, since she has recently shown a tendency to absolutely lose herself in a specific song I found by accident. If I can remember how to use my camera to shoot video, I'll see if she'll let me record her listening to her favorite song tomorrow.

(nope, Cecilia Bartoli didn't do it for her at all)

Silver Lining

Well, Penn State lost. By a lot. But I went in expecting Alabama to score way more than 24 points. I'll take the moral victory! Not every cloud has a silver lining, but some have rainbows. I won't complain.

Elphie won't complain, either. She's had a great day of sunbeams and cuddling and trying to kill her brothers. No matter how big she gets, she'll always be my tiny baby girl.

New Toy

Elphie says hi. See?

Sure, this isn't a great photo. I'd argue that it isn't even a good photo. But I took it with the webcam built in to the new netbook.

The netbook, a.k.a. "vacation computer," is tiny. The keyboard is cramped, though positively enormous compared to attempting to type on my cell phone. The screen is big enough for casual web surfing or video watching, though I wouldn't want to have to actually work on it.

Anyway, you should be glad that all you have is a still picture of Elph...it could've just as easily been a video of Scott and Milo asleep on the couch! Perhaps I should take one of them to bed now. G'night!

Last Blog with Mary Jane

This will be my last blog on the old computer, thus the weird post title. And because I am incredibly tired this morning, but had to be awake for the FOUR HOUR 8-noon Geek Squad window (you'd think geeks would be better at scheduling!), here's some pictures of my cats:


Some more fun with perspective from Elphie and Kilo...only this time she does look smaller than she actually is. Also, yesterday someone said our stair rail looked like it came straight out of an Escher painting. I'm pretty sure she was referring to that part where Elphie is!

Milo contemplates the cranes. One of these guys came up 3 feet from me while I was taking pictures. Cool? Yes. Scary? Hell yes! Those things could peck my boobs out! (not quite tall enough to reach the eyes) I think Milo got enough of an up-close view of them to realize he was out-matched.

Also, now that I've gotten some good pictures of the sand hill cranes, I think I have a full collection of bird pictures and can now put together my own bird-spotting guide. But of course, part of me thinks I should wait until Fall so that I know I've seen the entire year's worth of birds.

Morning Rituals

In the morning, I always take a look out at the pond while I'm brushing my teeth just to see if there's anything cool out there. Yesterday, it was the Pond Log, swimming merrily along right below the surface. He disappeared after the lawn guy went by. Scott says they don't like the vibrations.

Really, he's only 3-4 feet long. Without any frame of reference in the photo, it looks like he could be twice that length. Except you can tell he's got a tiny little snout.

Also, Elphie inevitably stands guard outside the bedroom door, waiting for someone going out to let her in. It's because she's so cute we can't bear to say no. And she always jumps up on the bed for some petting from whomever is handy. First thing in the morning is NOT cuddle time. Pet her or prepare for the nagging meows to start. Still, she's adorable. We really can't resist!


...and though it looks like Scott is crushing her in this picture, you'll have to take my word that this is her "ooh...pet my belly!" time. It's her freakish non-cat-like habit. What other cat do you know who begs to have their belly rubbed (and the ones who lay on their backs daring you to pet their bellies don't count)?

These are the simple things in my day that make me smile.

Forced Perspective?

No, no optical illusion here. The cat in the front really is that much bigger than the one in the back!

Actually, I took the picture because I thought it was rather freakish that these two were laying in nearly identical positions (aside from their tails). Meanwhile, Milo was laying on the back of the couch yelling at me for leaning over him to take the picture.

It's a Cat Day Today

Milo and I have a common personality trait: desire to curl up in a comfortable spot for as long as possible. After all, who needs work when there's a warm comfortable place to nap?Meanwhile, Elph is more the dominant task-master type. Here she's either saying "don't forget to flush," or "this room should be painted by now...stop slacking!"

Poor thing...since she's smaller than the boys, she'll probably always be my little black kitten. Of course, you can see here she's definitely more cat now. And look at that puffy raccoon tail! She still has it! So cute!

Some Random Photos

Elphie's opinion of the new scratching post: "Kill... kill... scratch... scratch... scratch... kill... kill..."

Milo: "Meh...I think perhaps I'd prefer to continue to use the love seat." (he won't tell you this himself, but he does love the scratching post. this might be because I've been rubbing it down every day with fresh catnip leaves...)

This was our first attempt at meatloaf cupcakes. Yeah, they look like big meatballs with potato caps, but they tasted good!

We learned that next time we need to bake them in those little disposable metal muffin tins so that they can maintain the cupcake look. Also, we were hungry and it was late so I didn't take the time to actually pipe the potatoes to make them look like frosting. Overall, I'd say it was as successful a first attempt as possible. I'm trying to perfect the technique so that I can do mini meatloaf muffins for the next potluck at work.

Proof Positive

The following picture is proof that:
a) the pantry was once empty, except for a bottle of wine, and
b) at least someone enjoyed that last foray into cleaning and organizing!

I'm just bummed I didn't get a picture a few minutes later when she was sprawled across the shelf.
I love that this picture could totally be black & white except for her eyes!

She Believes She Can Fly

Note: Five minutes after I left the living room, Alabama scored their first touchdown of the game. I fear this means I won't be allowed back in front of the TV for the rest of the NCAA Football season. Also? Go Penn State!

We tried to clean out the kitchen pantry/closet combo today. It didn't go nearly as well as our previous unless-you-need-it-or-REALLY-want-it-you-throw-it-away cleaning sessions. The small pantry was full of things that we need, or that we want to attempt to sell or give away, and it really felt like we pulled it all out and then put it all back in. I did manage to wrap a box full of glasses in newspaper. So hey - one box packed!

The larger closet is the Home of Christmas, which basically made it my mess to clean up. On the bright side, we finally got all of Christmas put away (shameful secret: up until this morning, our Christmas wreath and my Advent calendar were still hanging on the walls). I also did some cathartic throwing away - Christmas ornaments that had been purged from my Dad's collection by the WSM and "gifted" to me. Every time I saw the boxes, I got angry. And now I'll never see them again. Somehow that works for me.

While I was sitting in the midst of piles of boxes, Elphie was doing her manic run around the apartment, jumping on as many boxes as possible. At one point, her little flying squirrel trick fell short of her aim. How short? Well, one of her back feet landed on my left forearm. I ended up with two scratches - one superficial scratch about 3" long, and another that was about 2" long and much deeper. And I had one of those moments, looking down at a little mock-up of the Grand Canyon on my arm and knowing it was about to fill with blood. And it did. Yes, I washed it. Yes, I used soap. Yes, I slathered it with Neosporin and covered it with one of those giant knee-sized bandages.

After that (and the previously unmentioned broken thumbnail on the same side), my cleaning mojo was gone. We did what we set out to do, but it just wasn't as fun this time. Next week we both have two days off - the same days even! - so we'll have a day for fun and a day for gutting work. And maybe some more actual packing. I enjoy that part too.

It's Going Around

(please excuse me while I whiiiiiiiiine for a minute)

A co-worker lost her voice and has been battling a sore throat for over a week.

A manager came in yesterday having slept for 14 hours and still felt lousy.

A chef worked one day last week with what can only be described as Kathleen Turner-itis.

I've woken up for the past three days with a headache and a sore throat.

And Elphie just puked half her weight right by the front door.

We need to shut down The Restaurant so that we can all heal. And while I'm in bed, Scott can watch over Elphie.

Tiny Terror

Scott and I just finished an oh-so-healthy breakfast of fried egg & bacon sandwiches. About ten minutes ago, we were sitting in the living room, and I had the last bite of my sandwich in my hand. Elphie jumped up on the counter in the kitchen and I yelled at her, "Elphie, NO!" And she promptly jumped down.

I thanked her and turned to Scott and said that I was dreading the day when she stops listening. No sooner had the words come out of my mouth than Elphie came streaking out of the kitchen, jumped onto my plate, and bounced over my shoulder onto the cat tree. Thankfully, the last of my food was still in my hand, and the only thing on the plate was toast crumbs.

Scott swears he got bacon up his nose from laughing with a mouth full of food.

Someone please get this cat somewhere to live where she'll have more than 600 sq. ft. to run around in!

1,000 Words

Further proof that my camera is designed for teenagers: fun borders you can add before taking a photo! Here's Milo and Elphie "playing" in their play zone, with an eerily familiar orange & black cats border!

Side note: we washed those towels yesterday, and now have the most fascinating orange & black lint ball ever!

Ebola?

A post that, in 30 seconds or less, you are going to be happy doesn't have any accompanying photos!

Earlier today: "AAAAAH! MY NIPPLE'S BLEEDING! IT MUST BE EBOLA!"

Nope... not Ebola... Elphaba!

The cats occasionally chase each other across whomever is in their way, resulting in scratches, punctures, and other minor feline "war wounds." Today, I happened to be in Elphie's path as she jumped from the climbing tree in the corner down to the floor.

I grabbed my boob and started yelling before I actually assessed the injury. Generally I tend to exaggerate my war wounds. Imagine my surprise when realized I had actually bled through (Scott's) t-shirt!

Scott offered me a Q-tip and alcohol, which I declined in favor of soap and water. The cut is only maybe 1/3" long, so I'm pretty hopeful it won't get infected. After all, it would definitely be a shame to, in Scott's words, "lose a boob."

Yes, They ARE Spoiled

We finally got around to disassembling ZoePig's cage today, and took the opportunity to clean out the bedroom, clean out part of the living room, and re purposed the "Cubes" her cage was made out of to create quite possibly the coolest cat condo I have ever seen!

In the photo to the left, you can see the little plastic charm of a guinea pig head that hung inside Zoe's cage with a chew toy and bell at the bottom. It's hanging on the front of the new tower so that she'll always be with us.

And now, I'd like to present the ZoePig Memorial Kitty Play Zone!

No surprise, Elphie was the first to investigate. She loves toys with feathers!

Then came Kilo, who tested the structural integrity. We had one connector pop off, but there's so many zip ties on here that there was no problem at all. Scott reattached it and we haven't had any other issues so far. **knock wood**

Finally Milo joined the party. Though with Milo, it's less 'party' and more 'let's nap.' He really is my grumpy old man!

This picture is my best chance to show & tell all the cool features of the ZPKPZ.

* The bottom level doesn't really have anything special about it. The two cubes facing the camera are open, but don't connect to the back side. This section is basically still intact from the cage.

* The second level has 2 sections - an open square and an L-shaped section (where Milo is). The left corner is open on top for "secret" access to the third level.

* Kilo is camped out on the third level, which is basically just the one platform.

* The fourth level has two squares with a wall in between. The section where Elphie is sitting doesn't easily connect to anywhere else, and she had to jump to get in there.

* The fifth level is where the cats go when they want to taunt me by threatening to jump to the top of the book shelf. So far none has made the leap, but I'm sure it's coming. Elphie jumps up there all the time when we're not around, making the "bad cat" trip from the back of the TV to the top of the TV to the top of the book shelf.

If we had it to do over again, we'd have done something cooler with the bottom section, and used some common sense to connect the two squares on the fourth level. So far, they seem really happy with their new space (though as I type this, Elphie is on my lap, Milo is asleep under the desk, and Kilo is laying right behind my chair). And in case you were wondering, the lovely burnt orange fabric covering the levels are cheap Wal-Mart towels that we got for Zoe's cage that never got used.

So, are you jealous? I am - I totally want a grown-up size Play Zone!

Performance Anxiety

I tried to capture Elphie playing fetch with the video function of my camera phone, but we couldn't make it work. She had it in her mouth at one point and looked like she was going to come to me, but then she heard Scott in the kitchen and thought he was more interesting.

We'll keep working on it. It's good to have goals, right?

The Good Ship Elphaba

The blog has been dark and twisty recently. Know what might lighten things up? An illustrated pirate story!

Ahoy, mateys! This is the flag of the Good Ship Elphaba, a pirate ship captained by the Jolly Kitten herself.She steers her ship fearlessly though all the perils of the Living Room Sea.She once sailed from the Rainbow Tube of Slumber...

...all the way to the Cliffs of Entertainment Center!Sadly, the Good Ship Elphaba capsized off the Isle of Ottoman. As it turns out, kittens make lousy captains.

The End.

(This was the best $10 ever spent on an impulse buy at Publix, by the way!)

In other kitty-related news, Scott has taught Elphie how to fetch. Until we break out the video camera, there's nothing to show. Still photos just don't do it justice. But here's some pictures of Milo and Elphie showing how tall they are...

(Milo's got better balance... I consider Elphie's beaver tail an unfair advantage!)

And here's one more picture to leave you with. I call it "Not Milo's Best Side"

Baby Love

It's time for some gratuitous kitten pictures!

I suppose that it was only a matter of time until Elphie, like her brother before her, took the leap into FridgeLand. She wasn't nearly as amused when I closed the door while I went to grab the camera. Oh well, no harm done. And really, we're thinking about saving electricity by opening up the fridge and letting nature cool it, so I know the cold couldn't have bothered her!

Please ignore the fact that Elph does not have pupils in this picture. Also, please ignore the messy desk behind her. What I would like you to notice is the color and shading of her fur. Her daddy was a black cat, and her mommy was black and gray stripes. I'm not quite sure how feline genetics work, (like her freakish long hair!) but this picture shows that she is the product of both her parents.

I love her dark brown and black stripes, but my favorite part about her is her little gorilla nose. If I ever get good pictures of all three of them, I'll do a little photo comparison of my cats' noses. They're all so different!

To quote Juno, "woah! dream big!"