He really is. A, my hairdresser, was laughing at me today when I described him. She got a kitten of his vintage about a year before, and now has a 3 month old baby. She says the kitten was just breaking her in for motherhood's sleeplessness (though it is the kitten, not her infant, who is still waking her up in the wee smalls.)

I can't believe how much I totally forgot what fruitcakes kittens are. Devi was a trip for well over 3 years, and yet still...

What keeps him alive is that he comes up to me and falls over. I'm not talking a leaning, no, the feline goes boneless limp collapse. On my foot, across my neck, onto my arm. The first few times, I was afraid he had a neurological issue. Nope, just his "HAI! I LUV U PETS ME" entreaty. And really, he isn't that bright. He totally thinks in a cat's version of LOL. But, you know, sweet?

Fuck cancer some more.

The wife of my closest cousin discovered she had breast cancer not long after the birth of her 2nd child, four and a half years ago. The cancer was aggressive, and she was fighting it aggressively, with considerable success -- but not enough.

Tonight I got That Call.

She is back in the hospital for the final time. Her liver has shut down, other systems are soon to follow, and she is being kept comatose with IV morphine. She has perhaps two days left. Smooth passing, LWP.

Early detection gave her four more years than she would have had otherwise, pretty good years with a pretty great family.

So, folks, don't neglect those exams.

My kitteh just finished her "meowing at me full blast" extended session and is currently washing herself while curled up on my seat on the sofa which I was thinking about reclaiming as soon as I finish here. I think she started out wanting some of the milk from my cereal (Special K--dinner of champions!) and then decided to bitch me out instead.

I'm still feeling a tad guilty about missing the party tonight because I also bailed on her Xmas party last year, partly because my knee had gotten twinged that day, but mostly because we were in the middle of a rather nasty ice storm and I didn't want to drive an hour into the city.

I did promise I'd go to her Inauguration Day breakfast and have already scheduled the day off of work to go, so that will be fun!! We'll be cheering on our new president with mimosas.

Oh, dcp, {{{}}} to her and your family, especially your cousin.

Fuck cancer sideways.

(All three of my mom's brothers are currently or have recently finished prostate cancer treatment, one of her BILs has skin cancer, and one of her SILs died of metastasized breast cancer, so definitely get a checkup!)

Peaceful thoughts, dcp.

What keeps him alive is that he comes up to me and falls over. I'm not talking a leaning, no, the feline goes boneless limp collapse. On my foot, across my neck, onto my arm. The first few times, I was afraid he had a neurological issue. Nope, just his "HAI! I LUV U PETS ME" entreaty. And really, he isn't that bright. He totally thinks in a cat's version of LOL. But, you know, sweet?

Story of Puppycat's life.

I swear, she's going to be nine and I keep expecting her to grow up... It's just never going to happen though.

dcp, my condolences. Whenever breast cancer is brought up, I think of Lorraine, a family friend who died of complications from it, long after her initial diag, when I was 15 and poorly suited to comfort her kids who were my childhood friends. I still think I see her in odd moments, and in one of her daughters, it is eerie. And now her kids have kids and I see her in them.

And I'm not sure why I went there except to say that the echoes are large and never leave and that is a gift. May you and yours have that gift.

dcp, I am so sorry.

Home from a nice evening out. But the nice eve out was filled with the stress of crowds. Still fun. But crowdy.

Amarna has never learned the art of cute entreaty. Nagging, demanding--yes. Entreaty--no.

But I do find it amusing 75 percent of the time, especially when she walks on top of me, meowing at full volume, all while headbutting me and/or the couch cushion, whichever is closest, before she collapses on my chest for some petting and a very brief snooze.

Story of Puppycat's life.

You know, had I not lost my mind and named him Loki (which totally suits!) puppycat would have worked ok too. He's just...weird. Devi and MK, the ultimate bubba-lover-canine are still less puppyish than this one. Goof.

Scrappy throws an excellent party, I must say. I however felt like a NOB for not recognizing Bob and Bon for a good 20 minutes. While I was talking to them. Seriously, what happened to my brain? Can I have it back, please?

Our tree is up, but not fully trimmed yet. Maybe tomorrow.