Female. I got her from a student who had her in a dorm room. I learned a few days ago that her parents were getting rid of the kitty because of innappropriate peeing, but I thought I was safe because I've had her over a month with no incidents. I just changed to weird organic litter, so I think I will change back.

and yes, she peed on the only summer pants that fit me!

Niiice. If she was doing fine before the litter change, a good chance it was a protest. To be on the safe side, you might want to keep the basket out of pee range for a while.

MK was peeing everywhere when the diabetes hit. Even after he got regulated, he kept doing it. So I had to move/block/hide every thing/place where he'd peed. Took a bit, but mostly took care of it and I was able to take down the barrier and replace stuff . He'll still pee in front of the box if his sugar is off or he doesn't think the box is clean enough. Where dirty= pooped in. Ahrg. But that's what chux are for....

Ugh, Sophia. Good luck with that. White vinegar is pretty good on pee if you don't have nature's miracle handy.

And it is this horrible horrible outcome that is seen as a fate worse than death in our society that totally pushes my buttons. Screaming, ranty, I want to kill something buttons.

Article on kids and happiness: [link]

To which I responded without really thinking "Oh good! Because we live on the fourth floor and I don't think he'd make it!"

t falls out fourth floor window laughing

I was about ready to sell my 4-year-old to the gypsies this afternoon in the library. Every other kid in there was being all quiet and docile, while mine ran wild while I trailed behind her sputtering about time outs and revoking library privileges.

Sigh. I'm that parent.

I think next week before the library run, I'm going to have to tell her that if she runs or shouts or refuses to stop playing with the puppet animals when I say it's time to get our books and check them out, we're immediately going home without our books, and that she'll lose library privileges for the next week. Because I don't like being That Parent.

The nadir of people's happiness came when children reached the ages of 12-16, and only recovered when they had flown the coop, he said.

Is this a big revelation to anyone who's ever met a teenager?

Is this a big revelation to anyone who's ever met a teenager?

Or watched the last few seasons of Angel?

I guess I'm destined to be a sad cautionary tale.

Me too but for other reasons. As Jennifer Cruisie wrote: you can be a good example or a horrible warning! I think I'm a horrible warning.

I LOVE the pic of Jilli and Princess Tickybox. So adorable. I wish Jilli lived closer so she could be Good Aunty for Noah and Grace.

Noah and I had dinner with Alibelle. Then we walked across the way to a new to me cupcake place. Worst Cupcake I've Had from a Non Grocery Store baker. I had two bites. She had two bites and we threw the rest away. Worker bee asked, "Did you like the cupcake?" as I'm' tossing the half eaten baked good into the trash.

"Nope" I replied blithely. "Not really. But it's no big deal."

He looked agog and didn't reply. Why ask if you aren't ready for the (to me) obvious answer.

Also, from that article,

"Parents tell me all the time that: 'My child is my greatest source of joy'," he said.

"My reply is that: 'Yes, when you have one source of joy, it's bound to be your greatest'.

The thing is, my children do bring me a lot of joy (and stress and worry). But so do cupcakes. And flannel pjs. And naps. and Yoga. I get lots of joy in my life. But I'm lucky!

Children have to be sources of joy because otherwise they would be left in baskets to be raised by wolves. Providing joy is a distinct evolutionary advantage.