This kid, I swear, this kid.

Earlier today, wandering the aisles of a local vintage store looking for lounging/smoking robes for Emmett (strictly for lounging purposes; he does not smoke -- he does already have a nice robe with an embroidered dragon on the back, but I really want to get him a proper vintage one) and while I shopped Matilda amused herself, as one does, trying on wigs from the $10 bin of ratty dreadlocked snarly used things from the annual SF Opera costume surplus sale.

She fell in love with a brown-with-auburn-highlights jobbie with matted ringlets going halfway down her back and big poofy bangs in front. "Please, Mommy?"

"No."

"It's not fair! All my friends have wigs!"

"All your friends, really?"

"Norah has a wig."

"Can you use it in this year's costume?"

"No."

"Can you wear it to school?"

"We're not allowed."

"Where would we store it?"

"I don't know."

"No."

Cue tears. "This always happens! I always love a wig, and then when we come back someone else has bought it, and I never get the one I love!"

I ignore her for a while, but she persists in wearing the wig all over the shop, petting it and cooing over it and sitting on an antique fainting couch just enjoying the feel of the ringlets over her shoulders. Finally I come back, and she says again, "Please? I love this wig!"

She looks so earnest and wretched that I feel both relenting and curious. "What do you think you look like in it?"

"I don't know her name. But I feel like that beautiful girl in that show."

"Which show?"

"The one we used to watch. The one with the boy who can bring you back to life after you're dead."

"Pushing Daisies?"

"Yes! I look like that pretty girl."

"You mean Chuck?"

"Yes, Chuck. When I wear the wig I look like Chuck. ... I should be Chuck for Halloween!"

So of course she got her wig, and is now curled up wearing the wig and her flapper dress and watching Fantastic Mister Fox.

I really have no idea whether I'm such a sucker for her because she's totally playing me, or because she is me.

Be prepared for super stinky litterbox leavings. Food changes always do that, even if it is from foraging outside to premium kittyfood. And kittens are farty.

Are you just fostering until they are acclimated or you planning on keeping?

Enjoy the neverending kitten antics. It's better than most tv. And Matt? Pictures!

How much do I love that Matilda's school has a policy on wigs? I mean, it's obviously a wrong policy, but the fact that they have reason to have one (and she knows what it is)?

Wigs are deemed too distracting, but it must be noted that the school is fine with hats and there are no discernible hair regulations at all.

Be prepared for super stinky litterbox leavings. Food changes always do that, even if it is from foraging outside to premium kittyfood. And kittens are farty.

I've been feeding them bargain basement cat food for over a month now, and they get a varied diet of meat scraps from the restaurant down the street, so I hope this won't be too disruptive to their digestion. Though I do have incense at the ready just in case.

Are you just fostering until they are acclimated or you planning on keeping?

I'm going to offer them to the guy who said he wanted the boy once they've gotten used to being indoors. Hopefully he'll be willing to take them as a pair, since they'd be a lot happier together than separated. The plan is to take in Dustbunny (the younger fluffy gray kitten) once they're shipped out, and turn him into my permanent pet.

I am in love with Matt's kittens!

Thanks for the birthday wished everyone!

I love kid negotiations. At least it is ratty wigs and not cheap plastic things you step on in the middle of the night!

Matt, I'm both laughing at you and with you and at me. Kittykins sucker you every time. I had to pry myself away from the Petsmart kitty adoption center because there was this one sweet oldster (13!) that looked like Pumpkin and Loki mated who had been given up because he didn't like the new kitten and I was all I KNOW GERIATRIC CATS OMG EVIL PEOPLE and then I was all, no more heartbreak for a bit, Sara. You've lost 2 beloved cats in 18 months, and paid all the bills on them. Let your kittens age.

But kitties are fun. (DAMNIT LOKI STOP CLEARING THE SHELVES!)

I also sent an irritated email to my gutter guy. Installation is nonstandard, not explained and ugly (catcher box is BELOW the spout. This is not standard around here and I don't get it.) They need to fucking fix it. I procrastinated calling, but with the email, documentation. And I've got a couple weeks before they can legitimately come after me for the other 2/3 of the cost.

Wait, you too Sophia? Happies!

DAMNIT LOKI STOP CLEARING THE SHELVES!

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You'll note the cat's expression after everytime: yup, gravity still working.

I lost my cell when I was on emergency call because of Loki. It ended up under the loveseat. Despite being plugged in to a cord tied down and actually tucked between books. Still, buzzed and bleeped for a day under furniture.