Happy, happy, joy, joy

It's been a slow news week, as we used to say at the paper, but I do have a bit of happy news to report.

Once you give up an animal for adoption, they won't tell you anything about what happens once it leaves your care. Soooo, after letting my sneaky side get the better of me, I called the SPCA yesterday, pretending *cough* to be interested in adopting a cat. I fed her the story that I'd been there the previous day, gave her Molly's description and asked if she was still available. She put me on hold for quite a while and then came back with "I'm sorry. Molly's been adopted." I'm sure I did a good job at sounding disappointed and I told her I'd check back another time. Heh. Here's to happier, and dog-free, days for Molly!!

For Molly

She found her way into our house via a tree six years ago on the 4th of July weekend. I noticed our next-door neighbor's dog standing watch under our big oak tree and thought she was looking at some squirrel or bird. When she didn't move after about half an hour, I went outside to see what was up, and there she was. Scrawny little kitty. The neighbor came over and was able to rescue her from her predicament. She ran off around our neighbor's garage as soon as those four little paws hit the ground.

Later that afternoon, we were getting stuff ready for our four-house 4th of July party, when that same neighbor came out with the kitten. Seems he'd left the garage door open and he'd found the furball sleeping under the car. She was the hit of the party. Every kid wanted to hold her, and so did many of the adults. By the end of the party, E. had named her and somehow, that made her ours. She was skittish, not very loving - definitely NOT a lap cat. Miss Independent. I don't believe I ever even heard her purr in the last six years. She tolerated the boys and they learned to leave her alone when those ears went flat.

Fast forward to last August. Boys decide they want a dog. We searched and searched for just the right one before we brought Sheba home. Wonderful dog - loving, quiet (unless you walk by the front window or ring our doorbell) and curious about her new housemate. I did everything I could to ease the transition but the cat wanted none of it. She took her frustrations out on our carpet, then our sleeper sofa in the guest room, and finally, a bean bag chair in the boys room.

It wasn't an easy decision to make. We tried to find someone we knew who might want to take Molly in. Stress was taking its toll on her and our house. So today, I took her to the SPCA where we adopted Sheba. E. understood why. I told him that at least she'd have a chance to be adopted there. I'd make sure to tell them that she should not be around dogs or little kids who like to pull tails, etc. I also told him that whoever adopted Molly from the shelter would be more likely to return her there should they realize that they couldn't keep her.

I didn't think I'd be as affected by it as I am. After I signed her over, I went out to the car and started bawling like a baby. I knew I couldn't drive in that state and I went into the other area of the shelter that housed the cats. I wanted to see where she'd be while awaiting her new family. A kind volunteer saw my tear-stained face and asked what was wrong. When I told her, she just grabbed hold and hugged me. Then she sat me down and told me all about how they care for their animals. She even went back to the holding area to see how Molly was adjusting. From what she told me, Molly sounded relaxed and calm - not scared at all. God. I'm crying as I type this. I didn't expect this flood of emotion over a cat that never seemed to want much from me except food and litter box cleaning. I guess she meant more to me than I realized.

I hope that you'll be queen of the house wherever you go, Molly, and that you'll always have a window in the sun.

Monday, monday

My friend Robyn has a new blog, so I thought I'd give her a shout out and welcome her to blogging. Stop by, say hi and check out her majorly cute kidlets.

Spring break started here today. I have to work this week (bah!), so DH is staying home with the kids in the a.m. and going in to work late. It sucks, but at least I'm only there until one o'clock. Not sure how all this will work out during summer break. It just may be the straw that breaks this old camel's back. We're under-staffed and there seems to be no relief forthcoming. After only a month, our branch is quickly becoming the most used (according to the circulation numbers) in our county, and we have half the staff. It's a nightmare. I'm hoping it improves, or else I'll be re-thinking this whole "back to work" thing. $5.65 an hour for this aggravation is not worth it.

On a brighter note, my guys surprised the heck out of me today. When I got home from work, they weren't around so I was going to get some computer time in. On my way to the back room, I passed the boys' room and I was floored because I could see... the FLOOR!! Their room was as close to spotless as one can get. Lately, I'd just been closing the door and trying not to think of all the stuff everywhere. J's idea of cleaning is stuffing all of his trading cards and toys under any surface (bed, nightstand, desk, shoes, etc.). E. is only slightly better. Any flat surface is fair game storage. Their desk had become one giant display shelf with dust being the main "attraction". I don't know what DH did to get them motivated, but I want to bottle it and sell it. I'd never have to worry about money again! LOL!

I wonder if they'd be interested in tackling the garage next. Hmmmmm.

Zzzzzzzzzz

I envy people who have something to write about each day.

Life here is boring, people. Plain and simple. My big thrill was getting this from the Brown Guy today. (This is what happens when you have the most basic cable service - i.e. 10 channels. I'm amazed at how easy it is to keep watching something that I normally wouldn't think twice about.) Haven't tried it yet, but I'm sure that the 12 y.o. will want first crack at it for making a smoothie after school. After all, he was the one egging me on to order it. If it gets him more active in the kitchen, it's worth the money.

More boredom ahead -

I was off at noon today and was so excited to have two and a half hours to myself that I celebrated by going to ...

COST*CO

Wooo-boy. From noon to 1:30, I strolled the aisles looking at all the new and not-so-new things. (Oooh! Clear storage bins with lids - only $13.99 for fourteen!! Hmmm. I could use some new socks. Looks like we'll be having chicken parmesean for dinner tonight, baby!) Sampling was good - enough to qualify as "lunch", but I still found time to hit a drive-through on the way home. After two months of working, I realize how little time I have to just hang out. The only thing that would've made it better was to have someone giving samples of 5-minute neck massages. Other than that, it was heaven.

After all this excitement, I think I need a little nap.