GIST's

01/19/2009

1) Grapefruit
2) Old Friends
3) Clean sheets
4) A full refrigerator
5) Music

take your cat to work day

I work in an office, for a company that has only 20 employees. All of us know each other very well and all of us have been working together for over 10 years.
After working at the same company for so long you would think it's monotonous, boring but it's not like that at all. We keep things interesting and fun.
Like today, for instance, was 'bring your cat to work day'. Most of us have animals. Some of us are cat people, some of us are dog people. I consider myself ambidextrous in my admiration for both of the species.
The day was set and activities were planned weeks in advance of BYCtWD. Gloria, I would say the most enthusiastic about the event, prepared a schedule for the cats. She also did research on physical and mental abilities of felines and put together a pretty impressive 'presidential physical fitness' tests for our cats to try over the lunch hour.
Most of us have 1 or 2 cats. Some of us have 3 or 4 cats. Only 1 of us has more than 5 cats. Melinda, the company ' cat lady' decided she was going to try and bring in 6 of her 7 cats. The 7th cat would not be in attendance due to his age. Mr. Dimplekiss is 23 and although in good health, could probably die at any moment from any thing.
I brought Gremlin to work with me and left Marzipan at home due to her recent bladder infection. I felt what she needed most was some rest at home.
The cats were brought in right away and their kennel doors were left open for the adventurous ones to go out and see our wonderful office. Not a single one ventured out. We coaxed and cooed - pulled out toys and treats. All of the cats stayed in.
Melinda's 6 cats stayed in their kitty hut, all on alert but none outgoing or curious enough to come out.
The more we discussed the oddity, we came to realize that really, having this many cats in the same space would be pretty intimidating - I mean there were 21 cats in the office building at that time. A lot to deal with when the cats were used to being kings and queens of their castles - why would they want to give that up now?
Noon rolled around and a few cats slowly slinked out of their kennels and sat on their owners laps. Gremlin got out and sat in between the computer monitor and the keyboard; his favorite spot at home.
Gloria sent out an email and announced her decision to cancel the presidential physical fitness competition because the lack of interest on behalf of the cats was quiet appaw-ling which I thought unfortunate because I knew Gremlin was a shoe-in for the vertical jump and for the laser pointer shuttle run.
Lunch time rolled around and as we pulled out our lunches a fire alarm sounded. Apparently someone forgot to tell us about the fire drill that was scheduled. We decided to leave the cats where they were seeing as how they weren't doing too much moving anyways. The drill lasted a total of 10 minutes. As we entered the building and back into our office we could see that things had taken a dramatic turn.
TO BE CONTINUED....

GIST

I read on another blog I follow the importance of Grace in Small Things...
Check out a synopsis here
http://www.schmutzie.com/2008/11/grace-in-small-things.html
The blogger has resolved to post a few GIST's everyday for a year.
Although I do not think I can be that devout, I will share some when I think of them...

01/15/09 GIST

1. My husband - David is my soul mate. I cannot bear to think about living with out him. I love him more than anything in the world.
2. My animals - I love all of them. They are my answer to kids for hounding friends and family. They love me unconditionally and each one adds a different personality to the household.
3. Good coffee
4. Fleece socks
5. Staying in - I love staying in especially when it's this cold. There are so many projects to do around the house, things to bake, cook, paint...
6. Ayurvedic soap

My life is 30% better...

Yesterday after chatting with my coworkers about fun bus rides, I learned you can download free podcasts from American Public Media.
You have NO idea how excited I was to get home and check it out.
After dinner and burning my first photo emulsion print (OMG totally worked!!) I sat down at the computer and just about gnawed my hands off I was so excited. Free. Completely free and guilt free as we are MPR members....
It makes riding the bus fun. I can listen to Sound Opinions or The Splendid Table and crochet or just look at all the crazy people on my bus.
Thanks Scott H for this tid bit of information....

16 things about me you might not know...

1). When I was younger I wanted to get married to Michael Jackson
2). I love watching people play video games.
3). I am afraid of vomit.
4). Sometimes I sleep with socks on my hands.
5). I am obsessed with the Agatha Christie "Mystery!" series on PBS.
6). I am in constant wonder of what my butt looks like to other people.
7). I hoard books of all kinds.
8). I can't go to sleep with dirty feet.
9). I hate taking medicine.
10). I'm a lightweight and it doesn't take a lot to get me drunk.
11). Sometimes I miss smoking cigarettes.
12). I am very happy we do not have children (now).
13). I think that I have the best husband in the world.
14). I want a half-sleeve tattoo in a bad way.
15). I wish I could skateboard really well.
16). I wear knee-high nude pantyhose when I wear dress shoes.