The Little Things

I know it isn't even Thanksgiving, but the holiday mood struck this past weekend. I rearranged the living room, in anticipation of the tree and I dug out some minor things - the houses...

That's it, though...no lights or garland nor little ornaments...just the houses. And they just look so darn cute lit up!

Tomorrow, I head to the Lake to help Mum with the Turkey Day preparations (house cleaning, dessert making and starting anything that can possibly be started ahead of time). So I'm off like a dirty shirt and probably won't be heading back this way again until next Monday!

For those who celebrate, Happy Thanksgiving!

1 Day = 31 Years

Tomorrow = Friday :^)

Tomorrow = I get my flu shot :^(

Tomorrow = the possibility of snow :^)

Tomorrow = getting out of work at 11:30 :^)

Tomorrow = the 31st birthday!!

Playful

Sorry for the red coloring...I should have turned on another light.

Adapting

Nym is adjusting nicely to his new home. Thank you Louise, Gracia, Shannon and Lisa for the well wishes and welcomes to him. Sadie and Tallulah are getting used to him, slowly but surely, though it's more slowly with Tal - she's really not impressed by him! Sadie loooooves him (except when he plays with her feet) and he loves her, especially at night when he can curl up next to her. It's so darn cute! Sadie gets a little jealous that the kitten gets so much attention and that she has to be "talked to" often because she forgets that he's only little and that she has giant yeti paws compared to him. I'm trying very hard not to let her and Tal feel left out or unappreciated, but it's difficult when they see me toting Nym around the house (I used to do the same with Tallulah...back when she didn't weigh 13 lbs), he's just so featherweight, it's easy to scoop him up.
He learned how to climb up and down the stairs yesterday, so now he has full roam of the house (which pleases him to no end). And after I created a makeshift stair up to the dishwasher, where the food dish is, this new climbing skill has come in quite handy! He likes to munch a little, get down, drink out of Sadie's water dish on the floor (despite there being a water dish right beside him), go play and then come back for a little more.
He's a total cuddle bug when he's sleepy, but when he's in a playful mood...watch out! He becomes "Psycho-Kitty". He's also a kitty contortionist when he sleeps; body twisted into the most unnatural of positions - it's hilarious! He's already aquiring nicknames, aside from Nym: Nymble, Nymby, Nyms and my personal favorite...Nymbecile for his sillier moments (like when he jumped at Tallulah's tail - not the smartest move).

He's one of the family now!

Mission: New Kitten...Complete

Well, here he is...

Introducing Nymbus (Nym for short)My fuzzy
playful
biting
cute
cuddly kitten
who likes to play with Sadies feet!


Day 1 and so far so good!

Mission: New Kitten...Day 2

As you know, yesterday I called about kittens...well, last night I got a call back! Tonight after work, Juli and I will be heading north to Waterville to check out two little long haired black male kittens. And if all goes well, I will be coming home with one of those little long haired black male kittens!

Now I just need think of some names - any suggestions?

But I'm Feeling Much Better Now

Cold from HELL...that is how I would describe that THING that I had. It was in my head, it was in my chest, it made my bones ache, it made my muscles ache. It just wasn't fun. My voice fades in and out, but I'm feeling much better now. That cold just floored me!

Two things of note, today...

ONE: I saw Mizz Briana on HGTV this morning. They were rerunning the episode of Uncommon Threads that she did. Very, very cool! I had just gotten out of the shower and needed some background noise, turned it on and there was Bri, so of course I HAD to watch it! Everytime a commercial break came on, I'd run into the bathroom to do the next round of whatever to get ready for work. So basically it was, watch the show - run into the bathroom to put on deodorant and cream, towel dry the hair and brush it; watch the show - run back into the bathroom to put on clothes; watch the show - blow dry the hair, etc. Needless to say, I'm inspired to crochet again!

TWO: "Mission: New Kitten" has commenced (that's the official title of my search for a kitten)! I have searched the classifieds, I found the number for someone in Waterville (a 20 minute drive from me) giving away litter box trained, 8 week old, black and grey, long haired kittens. I called an hour ago and left a message with my work # and my home # - I really hope they call me back. Keep your fingers crossed!

In honor of "Mission: New Kitten", here are a few youtube links to some waaaaay too freakin' adorable kitten videos...

Kittens destroying toilet paper

Little wobbly kittens

Sleepy Kitten

Playful Kitten

Ahhhh, the things I have to look forward to :^)

Sick as a Dog and Sounding like a Frog

Since last Thursday, I've been pretty much a couch potato with a head and chest cold. It's getting better, but I still don't have my voice...I have the raspy, whispery version of my voice. It sucks, royally and I'm getting a little sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Anyhoo, that's where I've been. Now I'm going to stoke up the wood stove, head back to my recliner and watch more t.v.

Oh T.V., how I've missed thee...

My cable was hooked up yesterday and I'm relishing the fact that I no longer have to muck about with the rotary antenna to get a channel to come in remotely clear! I once again have HGTV, Discovery, Sci-Fi and a whole host of others that I have missed over the past 2 years. I channel surfed last night, delighting in the new found television viewing treats dancing past my eyes and delighted in the clarity of the picture!

But as I flicked through channels, I was reminded of Briana's realization, that at any given moment on any given day, you can find an episode (or marathon) of Law & Order or CSI on. At first, it was funny. I came home from work a little early and there was Criminal Intent on NBC. By 8:00, I was a little dumbfounded by the fact that at least five channels had a bevy of these shows: L&O original, CI, SVU, CIS original, CSI: Miami. By 6:00 this morning, it was just a little scary - CI was on...again...

We truly are a nation of lawyer/cop drama junkies. Man, I love cable

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN!

"An opening in the trees now cheered him with the hopes that the church bridge was at hand. The wavering reflection of a silver star in the bosom of the brook told him that he was not mistaken. He saw the walls of the church dimly glaring under the trees beyond. He recollected the place where Brom Bones’s ghostly competitor had disappeared. “If I can but reach that bridge,” thought Ichabod, “I am safe.” Just then he heard the black steed panting and blowing close behind him; he even fancied that he felt his hot breath. Another convulsive kick in the ribs, and old Gunpowder sprang upon the bridge; he thundered over the resounding planks; he gained the opposite side; and now Ichabod cast a look behind to see if his pursuer should vanish, according to rule, in a flash of fire and brimstone. Just then he saw the goblin rising in his stirrups, and in the very act of hurling his head at him. Ichabod endeavored to dodge the horrible missile, but too late. It encountered his cranium with a tremendous crash—he was tumbled headlong into the dust, and Gunpowder, the black steed, and the goblin rider, passed by like a whirlwind."

Washington Irving ~ The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Wishing you all a frightfully good trick or treat!

56 Days

Every year, my mother drags out Christmas music in September (seriously, she’s nuts) and I always make some comment or other. I don’t break out the X-mas tunes until after Thanksgiving…when the decorations come out.

I can no longer chastise my mother for listening to Christmas music early. While listening to my media player at work, it went from Neko Case right on into a Christmas playlist and I didn’t realize it until I started singing along with Johnny Mathis halfway through the playlist. I was so involved in the work I was doing, that any and all music became background music.

You know, I didn’t intentionally put it on and I didn’t even realize I was listening to it right away…so it doesn’t count…right? Right?

It's the Great Pumpkin!

Tonight at 8:00, my second favorite Halloween special is on!

(the first being the cartoon version of Ray Bradbury's "The Halloween Tree")

Boo!

light up devil horns: check

cauldron O' candy: check

spiderwebs in the windows and pumpkins ready to glow: check and check

We are all set for some tricks and treats on Mt. Vernon St!

Lunch Hour

I spent yesterday's lunch outside, enjoying the last of the summer/fall cusp weather (warm sun, cool breeze).

The sky was that impossible blue, the leaves were practically glowing in the sun's light and the crows were playing on the front lawn of the State House.

Sunrise Walk

This past Sunday morning, we were graced with continuing summer weather

There's nothing like taking a walk in a t-shirt, in late October, while the leaves are falling all around you. But those cool autumn temps have returned and the sweaters have been pulled back out.

Oh my sweaters, how I have missed you so!

(No new kitty yet. I think I will wait until after Halloween...after the week long visit of my folks...because if I bring a cat into my house right now, while my Dad is visiting - I won't hear the end of it. It doesn't matter that he doesn't live there or that I'm 30 years old, I will still hear "What do you need another animal for!? You've already got a cat...and a dog! Another one's just going to stink up the house...blah blah blah!" I just don't want to listen to it for the whole week that they're visiting.)

Itty Bitty Kitty Update

**UPDATE**

Itty Bitty Kitty has gone bye bye. :^(

His owner came to claim him last night. It was sad to see that little bundle of cuteness go, but I had to.

When I called it a "him", his owner said "No, she's a girl"...I laughed and asked, "Are you sure?" - apparently they haven't taken it to the vet yet - the owner assured me that it was a girl. My my, are they in for a surprise! :^)

But this was a great thing to have happened. I've made the decision to get another kitty and I already have two phone numbers of people offering up free kittens!

Itty Bitty Kitty

Last night, my neighbors found a kitten. A little grey and black male tiger kitten with a jingle bell collar and a flea collar. Obviously, he belongs to someone. My neighbor's daughter went searching and we stood outside talking for an hour, but no one claimed him, no one could be heard calling for their little lost kitten. It was dark and well beyond dinner time, so we decided that I would take in this itty bitty bundle of cuteness and tomorrow (rather today), after work, we would make signs and resume the search.

I promised myself that I would not get attached. I've said for quite a while that, though I love kitties wholeheartedly and would like another cat, I have a wonderful and beautiful 8 year old grey tabby who has issues with sharing her domain with other felines (she only tolerates the dog - Sadie could be described as Tallulah's court jester). Well, I think I'm getting attached after only one night. I know, I know - this cat must belong to someone...but if they don't come looking...if no one claims him, I will.

He's so sweet, so lovable and litter box trained! He comes when you call to him; he curls up on your shoulder, purrs in ear and rubs his face against you with that little happy kitten smile. He stands his ground with the dog...he hisses and growls at Tallulah and she returns the favor, neither getting with in arms reach of one another. He has that little baby kitten meow and that kitty penchant for night time exploration (not a good thing for someone who gets up at 5:30 to start her day). By about 3 am, that damn jingle bell collar came off and kitty came to bed with me and Sadie. He was just so cute! He even tried his darndest to get into the bathtub when I took my shower this morning.

How could I not fall for this face?


His little face and his markings remind me of this fat cat when she was just a few months old
She always looks doped up in pictures...I really don't know why.

They look so much alike, she could be his mother!

If someone comes to claim him, I will of course give him back...but part of me hopes that no one claims him - is that bad? And even if someone claims him, maybe this is the Universe's way of telling me it's time to get another kitty. You see, I wasn't supposed to be home last night. Monday is the weekly dinner and t.v. night at Juli's house, but I begged off last night. I had some work to do and my house needed to be cleaned (still needs to be cleaned) and a bed to put back together before Mum and Dad come back up on Thursday...so I called Juli to say I wasn't coming out. I don't believe in coincidence - all things happen for a reason; I think my staying home last night was to be introduced to this sweet little thing and to come to the realization that it may be time for a new family member to be welcomed to Mount Vernon Street.

We'll see what happens; we'll make signs tonight. I've already put an add in the paper. We'll see...

Mr. Sycamore

Have I ever told you about Mr. Sycamore? Mr. Sycamore was the maple tree that graced my front yard for about 17 years. He was a beautiful tree; always the first to bud and the last to change color and drop leaves.

I was probably 6 when my Dad transplanted this scraggly little maple twig from my neighbors yard into our front yard - it was barely taller than me and pitiful looking! We had just finished watching a movie about a man (Jason Robards) who wanted to find peace and quiet, and thought that his life would be better if he were to become a tree. Well the man's wife had him committed (she found him trying to take root in the backyard), but eventually he escapes the mental institute. I remember all these people chasing him and finally, when they think they've got him cornered in an area by the lake - they're surprised to find he's not there. There's just a lone tree standing by the lake, a tree that no one really remembers ever being there. It was very sad, but kind of sweet. The name of the movie was...(insert drumroll here)... Mr. Sycamore. And thus our little tree was named. The funny thing was that the name really stuck. We never called it the "Tree in the Front Yard", it was always "Mr. Sycamore" and everyone in the family knew what you were talking about.

Well, Mr. Sycamore grew into a gorgeous tree, like I said. But alas, the Ice Storm of '98 hit Maine. I was away at University, my family was down here without power for a week and every night at 6:00, I could be seen standing in my apartment in Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada holding my phone to the television (which was tuned to the Bangor, Maine news station) so my parents could listen to the news and weather forecast! I guess it looked like a war zone down here, but Fredericton was barely touched (we had about 3 inches of ice, but that was it).

By almost the end of the ice storm, Mum said she heard a god awful crack and then a thud against the side of the house. She looked out and there was Mr. Sycamore, split down the middle. Our beautiful shady tree was done for. Once the ice melted and spring settled in, Dad had to take the chainsaw to Mr. Sycamore - that was very emotional, we were very attached to that tree.

The following Mother's Day, my brother bought my mother a sugar maple sapling and she was planted in the same spot as Mr. Sycamore. We aptly named her, "Mrs. Sycamore." Mrs. Sycamore has been a slow grower, but she's 9 now and like her predecessor, she's the first to bud and the last to drop her leaves...

Yesterday Wrap Up and More on the Room Box

Everyone in my family is doing the dance of joy for me! I went out to my friends' house after work and we all had celebratory tacos. If anyone knows how to make you feel celebrated, it’s my friends! I swear they get more excited for you than you yourself are. :^)

But yesterday really was a red letter day! I had a smile on my face till I went to bed. I mean I got my step increase, the new job within my office that I wanted, I ordered cable (the very basic – I’m having issues with my rotary antenna and now I will have a clear picture on all stations. WHOO HOO!), my truck will be getting an oil change and a front end alignment next Tuesday and by the end of the month, I’ll have more than enough money to buy 4 new tires for my truck, which will make it pass inspection! I know, those sound like minor things, but when they weigh on you like a lead brick because you’re worried your vehicle won’t make it through a Maine winter – it’s a major thing. I feel like I can breathe now!

I also wanted to share picts of the “test” room box that I made, the completed cutting table set up and the finished magazine spinner:

This was made from fairly thick MDF that I had out in the garage. I want to increase the length and depth of my room boxes, so I think I'll have to head to the Big Orange Box (Home Depot) for some 1/4" MDF or plywood to make the real boxes. I haven't decided if I'll paint the inside or "wallpaper" with some scrapbooking paper, yet. I'll get a square of peel and stick linoleum for the flooring.

(Click on the pictures to make them bigger. I can't put them on Flickr yet, because my mother and aunt both look at my photos on that site - they don't read this, so I can share)

I was hoping to make these roomboxes up this weekend, but Mum and Dad are coming up to help me sheet rock. Guess they'll have to wait until Monday!

CRAZY BIG ANNOUNCEMENT

Okay, here's the backstory...back in June, the Legislative Aide in my office let slip that he was looking for a new job. He's very campaign oriented and off session here is very, very quiet. You basically twiddle your thumbs and have to look for projects to keep you busy til January. So to hear this really didn't surprise me. My first thought was, "I want that job!" It's a higher pay grade and more responsibilities, but essentially I've been doing Legislative Aide work all along.

Well, the Legislative Aide went for several different interviews (and believe me, I was sending positive thoughts and luck with him to every one), but after two months, he was still looking...until about August, when he announced that he would be working on a Congressional campaign starting in January. I was rejoicing! Not that I don't like the guy, but because I wanted his job.

Just before we all headed to our staff retreat, I made my intentions known to my boss (Beth) and she seemed very happy that I wanted that job. She had a conversation with my Chief of Staff (that I happened to overhear) and it did not reassure me - even though I was only getting one side of the conversation, I gathered that he had other candidates in mind. But I let it go, thinking that if it was meant to be mine...it would be!

Anyhoo, two weeks ago my Chief said "I know you've expressed an interest in the job. And I not saying that we're giving it to you...but I'm not saying that we're not. I want you to be thinking of other ways that you can be of assistance to our members to get your face out there more, because after the next election, Beth is termed out and if Libby takes over this office, I'm gone too. We need to make sure that the rest of the members see you as an asset, so you can slide into any role that may come available and to keep you in a job." (that's the crappy thing about working here, it's all dependent upon elections, who has control of the Senate and whether or not you are an invaluable asset!)

So, today we had staff reviews with my boss and my Chief. They both said they're very pleased with my work and....

WOULD I ACCEPT THE POSITION OF LEGISLATIVE AIDE FOR THE COMING SESSION!!!!!!!

Seriously, I'm doing the happy happy dance of joy right now! Not only did I get offered the job I wanted, but my step increase went into effect today! Money's been a little tight lately (like a dress 6 sizes too small), so this has just been the best day!

Anyhoo, gotta go spread my good news to the rest of my family and friends!

Happy Wednesday!