The Cats Hate Me

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I have ignored my babies for too long and now they hate me.  I'm sure of it.

This week has been crazy busy and I've had time to do little more than pat the tops of both cats heads in the morning before I head out.  (Usually each receives 10 minutes of individual play time and at least a 10 minute combing apiece).  For awhile, the cats would come visit me at the upstairs computer where I work. They would stare mournfully at me before slowly walking off, tail down, the picture of sorrow.

Such theatrics usually work on me and my typical response would be to fling myself at the cats feet with toys and snacks, begging their forgiveness.  But for the past 5 days I've just had to look at them and say, "Sorry.  Can't do it right now."

Well.  I just realized it's 11 am and I have not had a visit from either cat this morning!  Unheard of!!  I would usually have 2-3 visits from each by now.  Couple that with the disturbing incident yesterday where I left the house and called out my usual goodbye to Lucy who was looking out the window and she didn't even turn her head.    AAAUGH!  They're not even acknowledging my presence any longer!  Sniff.  Sob.  My babies!

Stupid work.  Stupid pay check.  Stupid writer's ego.  I need to get my priorities straight and spend some time with my cats.

Updates All Around

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I don't have enough of any one subject to make a full blog entry so I thought I'd take today to piecemeal updates on different projects.

  1. The Battle of "You Know."  As mentioned in a prior post, I am trying to break myself of saying "You know" and "okay" in everyday speech.  Progress is being made in that I'm catching myself saying it (4 times last night at Wendy's in about a 20-minute time frame--sheesh!) but I haven't yet stopped  saying it.  That will come.  I'm also expanding the "no-no" list to include "actually."  I start way too many sentences that way.  "Actually, I think you're right."  "Actually, I think we turn left here."  There is just no need.
  2. Big Cat Book Project.  Completed and turned in.  I'm very happy with the final product and they seem to be too.  The release date for the book is April 2006.  For a person with little to no patience, I chose a really poor field to enter.
  3. Lessons In Stalking.  My first ad for the book came out in the November issue of Cats & Kittens.  The editor there was good to me and not only placed an ad, but gave me a book review and put a picture of my book in the Table of Contents for people to flip to the review.  I'll just sit back now and wait for the orders to start pouring in. =)
  4. Decorating Diaries.  We meet with the bathroom woman this week.  I don't think that's her official title (at least, I hope not) but lucky her, that's how we refer to her since we'll be selecting the cabinets and tile with her.
  5. Cats.  They're lucky their cute.  I spend 10 minutes every morning going around the bottom half of our home, opening windows to let in fresh air.  We have the old fashioned windows that swing out vs. up, so to open a window means pushing up the storm window, shoving the window open, locking it, then pulling the screen down.  Not to mention bracing most windows with a post so they don't accidentally slam shut on a kitty tail.  My point being, a fair amount of work is involved.  So what do the cats do?  Hunker down in the air-conditioned upstairs for five-hour siestas.
  6. Public Speaking.  I'm signed up to do an October workshop for the WGOT and the library on Public Speaking Tips for Writers.  However, looks like my Saturday magazine writing class is not going to make.  The college instructor said the gas prices were really hurting attendance at non-mandatory classes--people just can't afford to drive out to them. It's schedule again for November so I remain hopeful I'll still get the class--and some magazine writers--going.

And finally, Dena's tip for the day.  Throw out your scale.  We got rid of ours about 2 months ago because it was never right and would show a six pound weight gain or loss from day to day--talk about mood swings! But I feel great without it.  Now I actually go by how I look and how my clothes fit vs. a number on the scale.  Yeah, yeah, the experts have been saying that for years but who listens to them?  Trust me--much happier life with no scale.

Cat Talk: How to Keep Your Owner Happy

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Notes From A Cat: How to Keep Your Owner Happy

Copyright 2005, Dena Harris

  1. Resist the urge to show them your backside every time they enter a room
  2. Remind yourself the suitcase is not for peeing in
  3. Hop in their laps while they're watching TV and start purring. Humans need to be reminded real life is more interesting than sit-coms
  4. Do not jump from behind closed doors to attack the dog (or at least limit yourself to no more than twice a day)
  5. Twine yourself between your owner's legs no matter what they're doing.  Bonus points apply if they're carrying something heavy
  6. Allow them to think it's their idea that all the comfy chairs in the house are reserved for you
  7. Rub your head on all available surfaces to mark what's yours.  Owners will appreciate this clear delineation of who owns what.
  8. Every once in a while, allow them to pet your belly.  It feeds their soul.
  9. Sleep with them at night. They feel safer knowing you're nearby.
  10. Insist on being groomed at least twice daily. It's good for your owners blood pressure and overall health.