Update on Oswald

I just wanted to give you a quick update on Oswald. He had surgery on Monday, and is recovering at the rescue volunteer's home. He had a fractured hip, cracked pubic bone, lots of bruises and the gash on his eye. We are fairly certain that he was hit by a car. MY POOR OSWALD! It is really incredible that he was able to make it back to the laundry room and in to the bed I keep in there for them. He is one tough cat! The best part of this whole thing is that rescue is going to put him up for adoption. He will have a real home! I am so sad to see him go because I love him so much. But, because I love him so much I have to let him go. That is what I always wanted for him...a good home. And I guess that is what being a "good mom" is all about.

Good thoughts for Oswald

My feral cat Oswald has been hurt badly. I think he was hit by a car. I am devastated. It is a long story and maybe when I am not so tired I will blog it. Right now he is in my outside laundry room in a bed I made for him out of blankets and those heat patches you put on sore muscles. I think they are safer than a heating pad and seem to be doing the trick. I think he has a broken back leg. I am hoping that he gets a vet appointment for Monday. Right now he is stable. Eating and drinking and purring like crazy when I go in to see him. He was always the friendliest of the ferals.

What has really been bothering me is that a lot of vets will not treat feral cats. And if you find one that will, without being a part of a rescue group they charge you a lot. Unfortunately, I don't have extra money. In fact each month it is a bit difficult to feed myself, my dogs, my cat and the ferals. (Feral cats eat A LOT!) Ferals lead a very difficult life. Trying to find food and shelter every day in every kind of weather. Avoiding the humans that hate them, avoiding cars and predators etc. But the real rub is that it is not their fault. They did not ask to be let go in an inhospitable world. Again it is humans that did that. And they did not even have the decency to fix them so they did not reproduce and just make the cycle more far reaching. I am doing everything I can for him right now as I wait and see. Checking on him every 2-3 hours, sitting with him so he knows that someone cares about him, bringing the electric heater out there to take the chill out of the damp cold laundry room. Changing his blankets and towels and adding more heat patches to keep him warm, feeding him by hand...But it still feels like not enough. I feel my attempts are completely inadequate.

So, please think good thoughts for us. Even though they are not technically my cats, I love them like they are. And seeing him hurt is killing me.

Dress Code

Yesterday, we received an email from the powers that be in regards to our dress code policy. I completely understand the need for a dress code. But some of the things that they single out just baffle me. For instance:

No bedroom shoes, flip-flops, or “Birkenstock”-style shoes should be worn to work unless medically necessary with a note from your physician.

Hmm…I know, how about if we focus on people wearing shoes that don’t fit properly so their toes hang off the edge like CLAWS. It is unsightly and to me more of a problem for an employee's overall appearance than say a “Birkenstock” style shoe. And, seriously, we have to worry about people wearing BEDROOM SLIPPERS? I understand if you have some sort of foot injury, you might need to modify your footwear. BUT BEDROOM SLIPPERS?

All employees: Denim jeans of any color, 5 pocket pants (with the small coin pocket that look like jeans regardless of the material, including corduroy), t-shirts, and tennis shoes are prohibited unless expected by job requirements. Midriff tops or any tops that show an employee’s mid-section are also prohibited.

Ok several things here. I have a problem with the 5 pocket pants. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?! I mean there are some 5 pocket pants that are a whole nicer than some denim skirts that I have seen! (Denim skirts ARE permitted). And why is it only 5 pocket ones? Why not “more than 2 pockets”. I would never wear cargo pants to work, but they have 6 pockets so does that qualify as permissible? I mean they are not 5 pocket pants and they are not made of denim? And I can’t believe there is a problem with midriff tops or tops that show an employees midsection. Do they even make those anymore? I thought they went out in the early 90s.

Avoid clothing that is too revealing, tight fitting, see-through, or too short.

No visible tattoo(s) or body piercing(s), other than earrings, are permitted

These 2 I completely agree with. I guess what perplexes me is that our company finds it necessary to single out these things. See-through tops? Good grief, when is a see-through shirt ok to wear EVER? Trolling the bars for a date maybe, but work? Please people who wear see-through shirts, use some common sense! And I really do not want to see anyone’s tattoos or piercings. They creep me out. I was married to a man with several tattoos and again, they creeped me out. Especially when I found out one had the name of an old girlfriend on it that was now covered up. So I feel qualified to make this statement.

OK, everyone get out those see-through, midriff tops and your 5 pocket pants and go to work! I mean they can’t send everyone home can they? :-)

Mr. Darcy

(And YES! I am STILL on the Jane Austen thing!)

But seriously, I feel a little crazy. Crazier than usual you ask? Yes, because I have become obsessed with a movie. The movie is Pride and Prejudice with Matthew Macfadyen as Fitzwilliam Darcy. I can't stop watching it. Maybe obsessed is a strong word. I don't think about it all day or leave work early to watch it. But, when I want to turn on the tv, I find myself always turning on that movie. I mean it hasn't left the dvd player in quite a while. I think it is partly because in my mind, it is the perfect love story. And if I am being completely honest, who could get tired of watching Matthew Macfadyen? I think he is just to die for! But he plays Darcy so well. He makes Darcy seem likable, sympathetic, caring, soft and well, human. Colin Firth (whom I love) really shows no emotion when playing Mr. Darcy. In the end, when they (Jennifer Ehl) both profess their love for one another, it is just...flat. But, when Matthew Macfadyen is walking toward Kiera Knightly in that early morning scene where they tell each other they love the other?...Holy Crap! I mean even I get butterflies! I guess in some way, I wish there was a Mr. Darcy for me. Someone who would "ardently love me". It wouldn't hurt for him to look like Mr. Macfadyen either! But I am perfectly happy in my little green house with my three fuzzy dogs, 1 cat and a feral cat colony...oh gee I hope I am not turning into the crazy cat lady! :-) I guess there are worse thing to be.

I am going to be so busy this weekend, I won't have time to watch movies. Maybe that will break the Pride & Prejudice spell. I don't know but I think I have worn out my dvd. It is a good thing I have a back up! ;-)

Too

You know there are times where there just aren't words to describe your day. Sometimes life is just...too much.

One of the definitions of too is: to an excessive extent or degree; beyond what is desirable, fitting, or right.

We are too busy, too tired, too lcrabby, too mad, too emotional, too selfish, too sick, too lonely, too far, too hot, too cold, too whatever...Today is one of those days where everything is just "too". That's it. Just too.

I hope tomorrow is a little less "too".

In every life a tear must fall

I am a cryer. I can cry at the drop of a hat. I guess it is because I have a sensitive nature. I cry over the Pedigree "Help us help dogs" comercials, I cry when someone else is crying, I cry when a classmate is mean to my 6 year old niece, I cry at movies, I cry when I read a good book, I cry when one of my dogs is hurt or sick. So I think you get my point; I am an accomplished cryer. Now that is not to say I am a "faker". I guess I am easily moved to tears. I am usually a silent cryer. Lots of tears and not a lot of noise. I am not one of the those "boo hoo hoo" ers

Today I watched one of my all time favorite movies "Sense & Sensibility (yes, I am still on the Jane Austen thing). There is a scene almost at the end of the movie where Edward Farris (Hugh Grant) comes to tell Elinor (Emma Thompson) that he loves her-he did not marry that icky Miss Steel, his heart belongs now and always to. That is all I need to turn on the water works. But, Emma Thompson as Elinor Dashwood has the best cry I have ever seen. It is so...real. I mean I know she is an actress and all but it is absolutely perfect. So if you want to see or need a good cry go rent Sense & Sensibility.

From the Heart Tag

I have been "tagged" by my blogging friend Catz.. I am not sure what this means but I know what I am supposed to do. "Post a quote that speaks from and to your heart and dedicate it to at least three other bloggers."

So, I dedicate this quote, my favorite one, to Catz and Krista (sorry I only have 2)

"In life it is not possible to do great things. But it is possible to do small things with great love". Mother Teresa (1910 - 1998)

And one more that means a lot to me:

"It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving". Also by Mother Teresa