You're Lucky I'm in a Transitional Phase

Since I've been away from MRF for so long, here's a little update. Bryan got a job in the Chicago area in August and he and Tuttle (the dog) have been commuting back and forth every weekend to a one-bedroom apartment. Jackson, Ren (the cat) and I have been trying to sell the house - had a buyer - lost the buyer - and, now, looking for another buyer.

Just when I think Jackson is as cute as he can get, he gets a little cuter. I'll post some pictures to prove it sometime next week. As it sometimes happens in transition, the camera's in a different city than the baby. He's 8 1/2 months old, and is crawling (crookedly, but very effectively) and has started pulling himself up to a standing position. I think he's going to walk before he gets his first tooth. Have mercy on us all!

I was super nice and honest and told my employers as soon as I knew I'd be moving. They demanded 3 weeks notice, I gave them 3 weeks notice, and they canned me after one week. Thanks, guys.

SO, I'm tying up some loose ends here and the whole family's headed up north Sunday to be together, at least for a while. We're working on making arrangements to get a house. Lease to own would be a dream come true... it would give us time to sell ours and the chance to have Jackson's first Christmas in a house. Wish us luck!

Kitty

I write about my dog a lot, but not much about my cat. Honestly... it's because she's mean. (You should be aware that while I can say she's mean, I'm not really cool with you saying she's mean. It's a family thing.)

Anyway, I'd like to introduce you to the seldom mentioned Ren Ramsey. My stepmom took this photo of her, and the picture kinda says it all.

Kitty Abuse

I walked in from work and went straight to the bathroom. When I opened the door I heard a frantic little "mew!" and saw a blur that could only have been my cat escaping from being closed up all day in a 5'x4' half-bath. I realized that was probably about the nine thousandth "mew" she'd uttered that day.

If this were a complete accident it would be easier to forgive myself. Earlier that morning, I was running late for work and Ren ran (say that 3 times fast -ren ran ren ran ren ran) into the tiny downstairs bathroom and refused to come out. My pleading with her only solidified her resolve to stay until physically removed. I didn't have time to coax her out, so I thought I'd shut her in there for a few minutes while I finished packing my lunch. The plan was to humanely communicate the hard reality of being trapped in a small room that apparently looks so glamorous to fiesty kitties-about-town. I would go back two minutes later, open the door, and the aformentioned k-a-t (see what I did there? you like that dont you?) darts out quick as a flash. That was the plan.

Only in my rush I, umm, forgot about the letting her out part. Oops. I just hope she didn't spend her solitary confinement plotting some elaborate revenge. I'm sleeping with one eye open just in case.