Greetings:

Well, working together, Enigmakitten and I managed to wreck my main computer, so I'm operating from my backup these days (sigh).  I normally have better judgment around such things as liquids near the keyboard, but a consecutive week of 14-hour workdays does not do a lot for said judgment.  I usually have anything edible or drinkable at least an arm's-length away, but this time I didn't, and naturally, Enigma knocked it over, right into the keyboard.  I'm not mad at her; not her fault. Kills me.  I drag that thing from pillar to post, all sorts of weird settings where I have to report, and nothing ever happens because I'm careful and insist on being the only one to touch my computer setup.  One misstep on my part, and the computer may be history.  It's presently at our trusted computer guys' place, Web Dispatch, to see what can be done and for how much.  I connected with a very nice Dell rep this AM to discuss several options from their catalog that look interesting.  At this point, whether I get a new computer or not depends on what Web Dispatch comes back at me dollarwise.

Ted's home after a good backpacking trip, not one of his best, but a nice break for him.  I picked him and Severino up just after their trip at a designated spot in King's Canyon National Forest, distinguished by redwood forests and amazing rock vistas.  It was very, very dry.  I think the entire park could ignite if someone looked at it funny.  Beautiful, but please, please, let it get to the rainy season without a disaster. 

I have been reading and working at taking to heart the teachings of the Toltec wisdom book.  It talks a lot about actions and attitudes that bring peace rather than dissension.  Another important point is getting you to look at the drama in your life and your role in it. It has really made me look at my own role in some less-than-fortuitous interactions I regularly have with Ted.  I'm very grateful that this book showed up at this point in my life, just like the right kitty did.  I believed Enigma was the kitten for us when I signed the paperwork at the shelter, and it's totally true.  Solange is beautifully fluffed up with a fall/winter coat, and she's a total sweetie pie, too, so it's not at all difficult to make sure she knows her place in our hearts is secure.  I woke up on the morning of my 54th birthday to one cat playing with my hair and the other playing with my feet. 

Onward.

Greetings:

Whew!  I am now caught up with my transcripts.  I just knew one was going to be expedited, so I kept working on it, and I got it out last night.  There should be some very nice checks in the mail toward the end of October, beginning of November. I've already made a donation to the court reporting site that, among other functions, helps to connect reporters with last-minute jobs in their area.  Not only did I get a great job from them, but I made a connection.  I did a big technical-type, accident reconstruction job (hard, but lucrative), and I guess I did all right because they asked me to work for them today.  I'm in Juvi court most of this week, though; just the normal horrors (sigh).

I've been gradually increasing the time Enigma spends out of my office, as well as the time that the two cats spend together.  I had intended to make more of a project of getting Enigma out and about the house once the cleaning crew finished yesterday.  I left the door open (and made sure she couldn't get out of the house) when I got home, all the while keeping an eye on her.  That went so well that I kept the door open through the night.  I had two cats on the bed all night.  It was great!  As one might suspect, however, I was awakened at 4:45 a.m. by a kitten swatting at a mental lamp cord and moving things on Ted's night table around.  Solangecat watched with interest.  Enigma is exploring the upstairs, but has shown no particular inclination to go down the stairs yet.  She actually isn't that much of an explorer.  I am hoping she's really an indoor cat by temperament.  I read somewhere or other that supposedly a deceased family animal sends on their earthly successor, and I almost believe it this time.  Enigma is very much what's needed, a real cuddlecat who is a bit shy and seems unlikely to get herself in trouble. 

So I'm decompressing a little bit in the early AM before heading off to court.  What got me through that last rush of transcripts was the action I took to not get into self-pity or feeling burdened.  I focused on being grateful for the work and told myself that I had the energy for this important job.  It not only got me kept me cranking, I'm seeing know that it has long-term, positive effects.  I find myself thinking that, yes, I do have important work, and it means something, remembering how when Ted wasn't feeling very satisfied with his job he said something to the effect of, "You produce something that's important to people, and I'm jealous."  Yes, I do, and it feels great.  (And he has moved through that, BTW, and has been able to make that particular job a vehicle for learning a new facet of his work that excites him.)

Onward.

Greetings:

Well, nonstop work all weekend, except for cat-petting and driving Ted to the airport.  But today was different because of the way I looked at it.  Every time I started to get self-pitying about having all this work, I substituted a thought or affirmation about having plenty of energy for this important job.  I do feel differently.  I have a very full week ahead; I am even going to have to work on my birthday (sigh) which is Thursday.  I will be in Juvenile Court Monday through Thursday and have an all-day depo set for Friday.  But if that cancels, the world won't come to an end.  I have pretty much scheduled Saturday for vegetation.

The cats are doing fine.  I'm cuddling Solange at every opportunity and bringing her in several times a day for kitten viewing.  I hold her most of the time, then let her eat some of the food.  I have also put a towel from her favorite chair in the room so Enigma can start to get used to her via her smell.  Did the same trick at night with our clothes, too.  I am going to have to leave them for a very long day when I go down to Sequoia National Park to pick up Ted and Severino.  I think since Enigma is so young, I'll have the catsitter in that day.  Enigma is just like Solange, a big love bug.  What a deal for a cataholic, two dedicated cuddlecats! 

I also had an interesting experience with Enigma today.  She was all over me wanting love, which I gave her in large amounts, but I needed to work, too.  So I held her and visualized her sitting over on a pillow, relaxing and watching me.  In about a minute and a half, she climbed down and did exactly that for just the time I needed. 

I am pleased to say that after I took Ted to the airport, I went to Whole Foods and then to a bookstore.  I got a spiritual/personal development book, something like The Idiot's Guide to Toltec Philosophy or some such.  It's the first of that genre I have bought in years.  I was drawn to it because I am very interested in changing thoughts and perceptions and assumptions that do not suit me (hi, Cerberus!), and this philosophy is a lot about that.  I am hoping to use this week of home solitude to get on some sort of track with meditation, personal development, some such; we'll see where it goes.  And one example I want to use is Ted's testiness that comes from overwork and overtiredness, but still feels hard for me.  He is not going to stop that.  I need to change my reactions to it, more my internal reaction than any way that I respond to him.

I'll close with a visual:

I was able to tweak it so it wasn't so dark in my Photobucket account, but couldn't figure out how to get that over here.

Onward.

Greetings:

Enigma is home!  I picked her up from the Spay/Neuter Clinic yesterday.  Before she was all shut up in the box and moving in a strange vehicle, I opened the box and petted her and explained everything: how happy we were that she was coming home, that we already loved her very, very much, and we were going to make everything good for her.  Poor baby.  Yesterday she had surgery, was parted from her littermates, and went to a completely new environment.  I have her in my office for the time being.  In addition to everything I've laid out to meet her needs, there are plenty of places where a six-month-old kitten can hide and peek from.  She is acclimating.  Enigma already responds to her name, cuddles, and pounces.  I came in for a walk, went crazy trying to find her.  Then all of a sudden, a flying creature flew from a high shelf!  It was Batkitten! 

Spent Mabon at home.  Driving to Berkeley tonight just didn't add up.  Tomorrow Ted heads off to meet his friend Severino for a week of backpacking in the Sequoia wilderness.  Between him leaving, Enigma settling in, and suddenly almost more work than I can do, I just sort of whiningly didn't feel like it. 

Mabon is the anniversary of the day I saw ladybugs in the garden I was claiming from the clay and the homeowners association rule. 

Onward.

Greetings:  I will be picking up Enigma late tomorrow afternoon after she is spayed.  She's a little uncertain in this photo, but we had some great bonding time after, and she's the one.  She snuggles and cuddles and is a terror with the toy mousies.  There was a Girl Scout troop in the get-acquainted room with us.  Nice girls, but a lot of stimulation which didn't faze her at all! 

Onward!