How can I possibly tell only a wee blog post, about my best feline friend? Lucy has stayed with me through 3 boyfriends (one becoming a husband), 11 homes in 6 states, half my college career, my entire adult life (thus far). She is a pro at long distance car trips. She makes friends with strangers as well – if not better – than the dogs do. Certainly better than the other cats. She rolls with the punches in a “F*ck you,” feline kind of way. She knows the second I sit down and is nearly instantly on my lap. She looks up at me with the most loving looks, with a gentle paw touch to the chin. You can find her in the sunniest spot in the house, all times of year, regardless of where said sunny spot is (watch where you step).  In her youth, she was Bug Catcher Extraordinaire, preferably while being carried around to swat insects mid-flight.

She gets kind of worked up and stressed when I cry.

She will then attack a dog, stressing out the other cats, who will attack her, then the dog. Usually ‘Bert. Poor ‘Bert.

You can’t pet below her shoulders or she’ll bite you. Definitely will hiss. This behavior was my father’s doing. That’s a long story.

Between my sophomore and junior years of college, I interned at Kodak in Upstate New York. By “upstate,” I don’t mean “anywhere outside of NYC,” I mean past the pretty part of NY and keep going. To Rochester. In the summer, a very lovely place. I had my first apartment (with a roommate), and would be getting an apartment that coming fall back at school. I grew up with cats, and then a dog, and so this new found independence meant one thing: time for a “child” of my own. A home isn’t a home without a pet or two. And they are family members, not pets.

I found a family with an accidental litter, and went to meet them at the end of May. They were four weeks old. The teensiest, tiniest of them, a gray baby with white markings, toddled up to me and tried to climb onto my lap. I picked her up. She purred. She hung back from the rest of the litter. Independent. A loner. She was perfect. I told their owner to call me when she was weaned, at about 6 weeks. And I set out to get supplies. I don’t remember how I came upon narrowing the name choice, but she would be Lucy or Lily. I settled on Lucy – I was on a Beatles kick, so she was “Lucy in the Sky…”

A week later, I got a call. The kittens’ mother had vanished (they lived out of town aways) and hadn’t been back in a couple of days. They were worried, but the kittens had been eating regular food in the meantime, and seemed OK (aside from crying for their mom). Did I want to come and get mine? And so, Lucy came home with me, at 5 1/2 weeks. So tiny that she had to stand IN her food bowl to eat out of it. She slept in the crook of my legs when they were bent at night.

As she grew, it became pretty clear that being taken away from her siblings so young gave her some issues. She still is very independent and a loner. She is a “typical cat” in a lot of ways. Considering my other two basically think they’re dogs, I view this as a good thing.

She’s the first cat to tolerate a newcomer. Of any species.

Max and Lucy take over the dog bed. Because they can.

Bonding with her Stewie

I know I’ve talked about Albert and how I view each day we get with him as precious. He’s definitely showing his age more and more. (He’ll be 14 in November) But Lucy only very very recently has slowed down. She naps a lot more. She doesn’t hop up on the counters anymore (she will get up on the table, LOL). She’s lost some weight. Not an alarming amount, but she’s not plump anymore. She’s 13. She’ll be 14 in April.

I don’t know what I’ll do without her. She’s my first. She’s been through everything with me. She’s my baby.

Yeah,  I play favorites. Don’t tell the others.

Buddies

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” Go into your profile on Facebook. Click on your profile, and then click on your pictures. Look through your last ten pictures (the top two rows) of the pictures you’ve been tagged in (as in, not an album – just the last ten random pictures). What story do they tell of you and your life? And then – is this the story you want to tell? The one you imagined yourself telling at this point in your life? What’s missing from that story that you think is integral to your real story?“

There were a few similar pictures from a couple of events, so I took the top 3 rows for some variety.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised. I was expecting a disappointing story. For me to not be happy with what I saw. But – you know what? These pictures made me smile. Every single one. They span everything important to me, happy memories, and left me just feeling grateful and blessed. This is very much the story I want to tell. Of a girl with dear friends who she’s been honored to be able to support on their special days, who’s achieved things in her career, who has realized the value of family, who goes out on a limb (every so often) to try “crazy” things she never thought she’d do. A girl who likes to have fun, and tries not to take herself too terribly seriously. A girl who loves, and who is loved.

And frankly – I don’t really think there is much more that I’d want to see or expect from myself than that. A lot of it is exactly where I hoped I’d be. I’d like to have a family of my own – I imagined myself there, but at the same time, it doesn’t feel like me or what I want right this second. For a variety of reasons.

I’m not perfect – I’m on a journey and learning and working hard to make changes to improve myself.

I’m hoping to save my marriage.

But these pictures show that a good part of me is pretty darn OK.

All clickable for bigger versions.

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1. What is your favorite type of cheese? Are there any types of cheese you dislike?
** If it’s cheese, I love it. I think the only kinds I don’t like are the super stinky kind (I’m fine with a blue cheese) and – recently discovered – goat cheese in some cheese applications. After my cheese making adventure at my inlaws’ over the 4th, there is a whole world of goat cheese products that I did not know about.

I think I’m probably overdue for a post on that weekend. And this weekend.  *sigh*

2. What is the wallpaper/background on the computer you are using right now?

**One of the blogs for an online knitting store I like releases a monthly calendar wallpaper. She’s a photographer, so they are always really great. I use one version on my work computer (the flag, this month) and one on my laptop at home (the peonies).

3. If you had to choose one or the other, which would you watch: a crime/detective TV show, or a TV show with a medical/hospital setting?

** Medical/hospital. Private Practice. Grey’s. House. Can’t wait for September!

4. Are your ears pierced? How old were you when you had them pierced? Are you wearing earrings right now, and if so what kind?

**At one point, I had 10 holes in each ear…soooo – my first set I had done when I was 2 1/2. I actually remember it, it’s one of my only memories from that time. There are a few holes open in each ear now, but I only use one set. I have small white gold hoops in. When I travel, if I bring my diamond studs, I’ll put them in my second holes to keep them safe. LOL.

5. When in your life have you felt the most powerful?

** When I was in grad school. Finally taking my career in a direction I liked, and it was something I was GOOD at. When I lost weight a couple of years ago – I had self-control and could use it! There are quite a few little moments like these over my life that have been total self-esteem builders!

6. Do you like wine? If so, what is your favorite wine? Is there a certain wine you would recommend to a person who generally dislikes the taste of wine, but wants to find one they may like?

**I love love wine. I took a class in viticulture and enology for fun in my senior year of undergrad, and I was president of the wine club in grad school. I suppose I lean towards dry whites if I’m just having wine – right now I’m loving a good Viognier. With food, I usually rely on the waitstaff at a restaurant for a good pairing, or just follow the wine with the heartiness of the dish. I’ve been exploring dessert wines a bit. For people who don’t like wine – I agree with Mindy! Drink what you like!
7. If you drink at all with friends/family, what are the usual drinks of choice?

** My mom’s family – usually wine. Friends, more often beer, but it really depends on the setting.

8. Name 3 things you do well that come naturally for you.

**Hmm. Be crafty (sewing, etc.). Be a dependable friend. The rest requires work, it seems….

9. Name something you currently do well that did NOT come naturally for you, but was somewhat difficult to learn and/or master. (If you have several, feel free to name them!)
**Cook. Be a good wife. Manage my money.

10. Have you ever ridden an ATV/4-wheeler/other small vehicle designed mainly for recreation? If so, did you enjoy it?

** My inlaws have a Polaris – the “pickup” kind, so it’s more of a workhorse. But – a heck of a good time!

11. How old were you when you became sexually active (whatever that means to you)? How old were you when you felt truly comfortable having sex, expressing your desires, experimenting, etc (if applicable)?

**I was 15, almost 16. It sounds young, but I don’t regret my decision, and my boyfriend and I were very responsible. And still friends to this day. As far as comfort level – actually, not long after that. Maybe 17.

12. Are there any projects (work or home) that you need to tackle soon?

** The to do list has a to do list. LOL. Redo the kitchen. Roof. A/C. Windows. Get an attic fan. I think that’s the short list of big ones, and there are a lot of small ones, too: Paint the bedroom. Paint the living room. Stain and seal the banister. Stain and seal the bathroom cabinets. On and on and on.

13. Do you know the story of how your parents (and/or grandparents) met?

** My maternal grandparents met at a roller skating rink. After my mother’s father died in the 60′s, my grandmother married one of his friends. Oops. LOL. I don’t know how my paternal grandparents met – and they’re both gone now. I should ask my Dad.

14. What was your FIRST EVER experience with wearing “high heels” (any type)? BTW I got this Q from In Style magazine and thought it might be sorta fun
** I honestly don’t remember. Probably around 6th grade, and most likely for church.

15. Which amusement park is the last one you visited?

** I don’t remember. Is that bad?

16. If you won an all-expenses paid trip to a different country than the one you are currently living in, where would you go? (assume you can only choose 1 country)

** Italy

17. What’s the weather like where you are (today)?
** Mid 90′s, 110-billion%  humidity. Seriously, I could go swimming out there. It’s disgusting. I hate not being able to do anything outside. The dogs have total cabin fever since it’s too hot for them, too.

18. If you had to make out with one of your coworkers, who would it be? Please don’t take this Q too seriously, it’s just for fun!!
** None of them. Seriously.

19. When you were a kid, did your parent(s) ever drive a car that you found particularly cool or uncool?
** My mom always drove Volvos, which I loved. My dad had a truck that he babied, so his daily driver was a long line of beater cars. I think my least favorite was the Chevy Monza. Ick.

20. Have you made any new friends so far in 2010? Have you let any old friends “slip away” in 2010?
**A couple of new friends, via another friend. I think I have a couple of friends in the process of slipping away, but it’s not an active thing.

21. Name something that has annoyed you today.
** Nothing. But it’s only 8am.

22. Name something that has made you smile today.
**Loud music in the car on the way into work.

23. When you’re driving to work (or commuting whichever way you do), what kind of expression is usually on your face…scowl, indifferent, bored, tired, happy?
**Tired. Yawning. Usually singing.

24. Which do you use more often: paper clips or staples?
**Both about equally. I especially like my colored metallic paper clips.

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1. What percentages of good & evil would you call yourself (I mean this in the lighthearted way, like a cartoon devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other…not a dead serious question)?

I’m probably 60% good/40% evil. Some days, closer to 50/50.

2. What do you typically put on a salad? Let’s say you went home tonight and made a salad for dinner from stuff you already had on hand…what would that salad be like?

I actually had a salad for part of dinner – arugula, chopped walnuts, goat cheese crumbles, tomatoes, pear, and a shallot/dijon vinaigrette. Yum.

3. How many kids under the age of 10 do you know personally (if any)?

Too many to count – from friends with little ones!

4. When you are driving down the street, do you usually have your car doors locked?

Yes – they lock automatically.

5. Do you like the flavor of dill?

I do, mostly. I’ve had it in a few things that I haven’t liked, but I can’t recall what.

6. What did your grandfather(s) do for a living?

My paternal grandfather was in the Merchant Marines in WWII, I’m sure he worked in his father’s butcher shop at some point, I know he was acting mayor of the town he lived in for awhile, and he was in management at a company called the Torrington Company/Torrington Needle.

I don’t know what my biological maternal grandfather did. He died from a seizure and a fall when my mom was just out of high school. The grandfather I knew served in Korea and I don’t know what he did after that. From what I remember, he owned health food stores, and after he closed those, he was an exterminator for awhile before he retired.

7. Have you ever dated a guy that others thought was ridiculously handsome and/or hot? If so, did you find it irritating in any way – or were you just pleased to be the subject of other ladies’ envy?

Yes. I married him. It was all awesome. LOL.

8. Name the last product/item you bought and thought, “wow I’m glad I bought this, it’s great”.

Goof Off. The people who owned this house couldn’t paint to save their lives and there’s sloppy, dried old paint all over – on cabinets, tubs, pipes. This stuff takes care of all of it. Yay!

9. Name the last product/item you bought and thought, “ugh, I wish I hadn’t spent the money on this”.

An Estee Lauder eyeliner – color good, but it’s not doing what I want it to.

10. If you won $100 million TODAY, would you quit your current job? If so, would you give the usual amount of notice or just say “so long, suckers”? If you wouldn’t quit, would you work fewer hours and/or change your future career plans?

I would probably quit it eventually (soonish), but I would give the usual notice. And then, I would work part time doing something fun.

11. When you graduated from high school, did your graduating class have a “Class Song”? If so, what was it?

I think it was “These Are Days” by 10,000 Maniacs. Or Natalie Merchant?

12. Have you ever been to a drive-in movie theater? Are there any drive-ins currently operating in your area?

Yes, but not since I was younger. There are none here that I am aware of.

13. Read any good or interesting books lately?

I was totally addicted to the Southern Vampire series (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood) – they were pure junk food. I’m reading “In Defense of Food” by Michael Pollan now, and it’s fascinating.

14. Would you dive off a tall cliff? Have you ever done this?

No and no. I hate the feeling of falling.

15. Name an article of clothing that you think is strictly for over-60 ladies.

Thick synthetic materials. MuuMuus. Support shoes. Red hats.

16. Do you like classic rock?

Some – but I was pretty much through that phase in middle school.

17. When in your life have you felt the most attractive? Least attractive?

Most – when I was 20, thin, and recovered from my eating disorder. Least – when I realized I had put on way more than the Freshman 15.

18. Have you ever baked bread from scratch (without the use of a breadmaker, and excluding quick breads like zucchini and banana)?

No

19. Have you ever suspected that 2 of your coworkers and/or supervisors were having an affair?

Yes, one of the other cashiers when I worked at CVS when I was 16 was sneaking around with the manager.

I’m starting to think there may be a problem.

And, on closer inspection:

Yes, we DEFINITELY have a problem.

And so, with much yanking, disassembly, and occasional swearing, out the middle shelf came. Now, even with baskets under there, both the contents and the pipes are visible. I’m thinking I may make little curtains to cover it, but we’ll see. Regardless, the end result sink is lovely, and left us patting ourselves on the back for our awesome skeelz.

Taking a step back and having a look at our finished product:

The former “sink room” – taken from by the tub. Yay!

And the former “tub/toilet” room – taken through what used to be a wall.

On the top left, by the vent, you can see where the wall hit the ceiling. Our ceilings are the worst kind – not painted flat, not sanded/popcorn that you can buy premixed, but hand stippled with joint compound. We have the brush and the compound and have patched it, but needed a little break before we tackle attempting to get it to somewhat match the rest of the ceiling. Minor detail.

Jason took his first shower in there on Sunday night, and there was much rejoicing. This one’s (mostly) a wrap. I think I’ll do some painting next while we save for bigger things.