Arrrghhh Matey

I do a lot of running and so as to have goals and actually go out and do the running, I sign up for organized runs. And clearly, I did NOT get my fill of costumes and dressing up in high school drama. No, I force my running partner to wear whatever zany outfit I've thought up for all of our themed runs. I will say however, this zest for costumes netted us a $50 prize on the Urban Dare. Oh yes, our "Mama Said Knock You Out" wife beaters and black eyes were the bomb. So there.

So Dani and I are going to do the Torchlight Run on Saturday. Which of course means Pirate outfits. AND we did buy pirate hats when we were on our Spring vacation get away in Cannon Beach... so it's a natural. Having just finished the fancy bustiers or mid section thingys that pirate wenches wear - I was testing it out. Along with my handily scissored $4 t shirt that also looks all pirate wench like.

And then the pizza man knocked on the door.

As I scrambled to take off the pirate hat and pull off the striped tights that I was considering hacking up to look like pant things - I was trying to make it to the door in a timely manner.

As I was signing the slip and trying to man handle the baby cat who was escaping - I realized I was NOT wearing a sports bra, but instead a regular shiny silver one and it was definitely hanging out of my shirt all wench like.

And of course this isn't the night that I get the cool chatty driver with the big earrings in his ears who would laugh at my hi jinks - I get the probably out of work accountant. I don't even want to know what he was thinking I was up to. I'm sure he probably starting praying for me before he even pulled out of the driveway.

Arghh.

Oh No! Kato!

I'm kind of sensing a theme to my blog...a lot of cat stories and children stories and rants about stupid people. Hmm.. perhaps I should try to diversify. Not just yet though.

So the house down the street is being forclosed. The family is selling their things and preparing to move out. And they have a cat. He is SUPER sweet. Has been since day one. Kato the cat. He roams the neighborhood, is clean and friendly and I think he's great. In talking with my in the know neighbor today I found out - the family is leaving WITHOUT the cat. They're just going to pack up and drive away. Like poor Mittens in Bolt. It's heinous. However - I don't know what to do about it! To me it's morally reprehensible to leave this animal that you rescued, or purchased or agreed to take home and feed and love.

The recently widowed woman next door to the family has been feeding Kato and enjoying his company. I think she even took him to the vet for some reason or another - but apparently does not want him as 'her cat'.

I'm sure he would be fed in the neighborhood, but I'm envisioning cold and snowy, wet nights with poor Kato cowering in a storm drain or being chased by racoons. No one to give him pets and let him sleep on their bed.

I can't volunteer for this job because we just got another cat. And if it were okay to just abandon a cat - Dexter is first up. But you don't see me with my bloodied legs and puncture wounded arms leaving my ornery cat (who's vet folder is 'RED' tagged as dangerous) on the street corner to fend for himself. No - I let him sleep next to me and I buy him expensive food because the vet said he needs it and I took on the responsiblity of him as my pet.

So I'm fired up! I'm going to see if I contribute to a cat vet/food fund if the neighbor would be willing to take him on. I've already thought up grand plans to build a cat house with insulated walls and a heat lamp for cold and wet winters that she can keep in her car port......

KATO!

Grocery Store With Children: My Kryptonite

I've found it. Having just returned from what was supposed to be a 'quick' run to the grocery store with my two girls - I am once again vowing to NEVER go assisted to the grocery store again. Ever.

Seriously. My two often well behaved children somehow just push my buttons the minute we hit a store. I would not typically take them with me, but when there is nothing to make a decent meal in the house and I've been stressed out cramming to get work done and know that I have to make lunches and be out the door in the AM - it calls for desperate measures.

After the discussions and negotiations as to who will sit or ride where, why children can't hang off the cart on one side as we roll down the aisle (sideswiping elderly people making our way past the bread is NOT okay..) there's always the urgent 'I'm going to have an accident' cry so that you have to high tail your cart back to the grimy bathroom and park it catty wampus hoping no one will think you've abandoned it. And the whining. I can't take it.

I seriously turn into that super mean Mom who finds fault with every move my child makes. After watching the stepping on of a box of crackers while we wait (as usual) at the deli I resort to the angry arm pull that could easily have someone calling for a CPS investigation. Along with that I pull out the angry whispery voice, vowing no cartoons or any sort of fun when we return home.

I'm frustrated and short tempered and just mean all the way around. I have to say THANK YOU to the store manager (who for the second time) sees my frustration and whisks my cart into a closed lane and checks me out in record time. I know she has kids and I am so so grateful to her for those Mom moves.

So I think I'll have to resort to my co worker's claim of preferring to go shopping at midnight than with children. And if it means that dinner consists of garbanzo beans and some kind conglomeration of pastas left in the cupboard. So be it.

10-4 Little Buddy

My 6 year old has a great little friend who we found out when she started school - lives just down the hill from us. Sadly not like "walk down the path" down the hill, more like - bring your machete and battle rabid raccoons and 15 foot black berry bushes while traversing a steep incline, down the hill. But we're working on a solution.

So S - as I'll call her- had a birthday this week and Jeff thought up the fun idea of giving her half of a set of walkie talkies. I thought it was a fantastic and fun idea for 6 year olds and we made it happen.

Yesterday as I was feverishly working I kept hearing something from the play room - thinking it was that creepy puzzle that makes noises at random times, I finally got up to investigate. Oh no - it was S demanding to know where Kate was via the new walkie talkie.

Now from most little kids I can't tolerate bossiness but this little bit cracks me up. She's goofy, and huggy and ridiculously cute and her family and parents are probably some of the nicest people I've ever met.

So yes, I spent a good 5-10 minutes on a walkie talkie with a just turned 6 year old who was demanding to know when my daughter would be home and could I make it happen sooner.

And it's apparent that the telling time portion of kindergarten was not mastered before school was out, because even though I said 2:30 - there were multiple inquiries prior to that time. And I answered every one.

Over and Out Sister!