Troubs

Three years ago today I had to put my cat Trouble to sleep. I'd probably remember the date no matter what, but I'll never forget because it was the day before my birthday, which is now sandwiched in sadness by this and the 19th was my now deceased grandmother's birthday. (Not to mention National Talk Like a Pirate Day). Yar! Grandma Lois, you live on in the great pirate ship in my heart.

I know pet owners always say this, but my Trouble was truly one of the sweetest, friendliest cats you'd ever meet. She was so sweet she even made my roommate at the times parents get a cat. (Why you ask? She and Boo stayed with them when our apartment had a five alarm fire and we had no where to live for a couple weeks).

Trouble stayed sweet through everything life threw at her too. Through a six hour car ride at four years old all the way from Minnesota where she became an indoor cat instead of an outdoor one. Through firemen axing open a smoke and ash filled apartment while she hid under a bed with her son. Through moving to Illinois for a month to let her "parents" rebuild a home in Milwaukee after the fire. Through moving in with my (now ex) boyfriend, who in reflection was nothing but abusive to her (not hitting, but chased her, yelled at her, etc until she hid under the couch or in a corner) and through helping me start over again when all I could do was cry and it felt like the weight of the world was crushing my soul. There was sweet little Trouble, nosing her way under the covers and pushing up against my back.

She welcomed all my friends into my "new" apartment (I am starting my fifth year here now). Pushing herself between us during our LOST parties, our Mad Men parties, and well, whenever she felt like it. Nosing into our snacks; she would not be ignored, nor would she stop purring or asking to be pet by everyone in the apartment (or in the hallway if she ever made it that far).

When she was barely ten years old, she ended up getting cancer of the epithelial cells, which are basically the cells that line your organs against your other organs. So really no chance there. She got really thin, really fast and towards the end I could just tell something wasn't right. She wasn't her sweet little self, who would greet me with mews everyday when I got home from work and not leave my side until I left again in the morning. She would just hide in the closet, and gradually, just after Labor Day, I noticed she was swelling with fluid because her cells were breaking down and giving up.

She was unhappy, she couldn't move comfortably, hid in the closer all of the time and seemed ashamed of the fact that she had lost control of her bladder. One day, in between vet visits, i just looked at my girl and realized I couldn't put her through that anymore, so two of my best friends went with me to let her go. The vet thought she probably had three days left at the most. It was tremendously sad, and we looked like the most unusual little family (my best friend his wife and I), but we all loved her. Just like almost everyone who met her did.

Cancer's a bitch. In humans and pets alike. Hug yours tonight!

Run Streaking in the Winter plus Miscellaneous Thoughts

So after the new year I committed to running every day until I go to Cancun (sidenote: SO EXCITED). It seemed like a good idea at the time, but that's because it was unseasonably warm (upper thirties, lower forties) here at the time. Now that it's down to normal January temps (teens) it doesn't seem like such a good idea anymore, but I'm dedicated. On the cold days, I'll just make them shorties. It really is easier for me to run when there's not a question of whether or not I'm putting on my running gear and heading out, just how far I decide to go. Plus, when I get back I'll finally suck it up and join the gym up the street with the money my parents gave me for Christmas to do just that.

The consistent running also seems to be helping me manage my stress with starting the new job. I know I'm still working with the same people and doing almost all the same things, but changing companies, changing bosses and being unsure of the future is still somewhat stressful. So far so good though. It seems like it really is going to be a true tech company that happens to be located in the midwest. I hope I'm right!

Sorry!

Sorry the posts are going to be so limited this week. Someone else has temporarily commandeered my phone for the next few days because it has better streaming capabilities than theirs. I'll try and sneak in a couple random pictures when I have it though!

Finally - I Decided My 2012 Resolution

I never do huge resolutions, and I don't do them every year. About ten years ago I made the resolution that I was going to floss my teeth at least once, six days a week, I'm still doing it!

This year, I decided I'm going to use more of my vacation time at work. I get 200 hours of what is essentially PTO (earned time off) but I have a random 40 carried over from previous years for a grand total of 240, plus 24 hours of floating holidays (handed out at the beginning of the year, no earning required). Last year, I used only 80 of my PTO hours, and all of my floating holidays. That's less than half of what I could have.

So, get ready for some adventures! Or maybe some surgeries...

This is Awesome

Totally made me tear up just a little bit. This lady is amazing, not only for the life meaning behind her words, but her seeming acceptance of the fact that everyone can make mistakes, and that everyone has a chance to learn from their mistakes (well, maybe not everyone, but you know what I mean).

I Heart This

And its worth posting even though it bleeds over my margins. Random question that I really am curious to know the answer on. I know its stereo-typical to think that the man does the proposing (in man/woman relationships) but when you're in a same sex relationship, and marriage is available to you, how do you decide who proposes?



From the advocate.

Two Years Ago Today

I just realized that two years ago today was the day that I went into the Wisconsin Humane Society (Milwaukee location) and found the kitten that would complete my crazy. I lost the most loving, sweet and gentle cat ever, Trouble, two years ago in September, and while Eloise hasn't replaced her, she certainly filled the void for both Boo and me. And yes, if you have your own cat and visit me she will act like devil spawn, but every time she crawls into my bed, lays down on top of my arm and purrs, once I get over being annoyed about being woken up, I realize exactly how happy I am to have her.

So keep wreaking havoc on my household, keep eating plastic and throwing it up all over the floor, and keep being your adorable self, my Eloise. The home is just that much better of a place with you in it. Despite the fact that I had to add cat furniture to keep you from destroying mine.

These pictures are from a her first day home, a day and time where Miss Eloise had not yet proven how small her head would be, nor how big her belly would be. Any gentleman who can manage to win over her heart, certainly has a good chance of winning over mine.