Yawn-Snot-Scratch

I'm purty tuckered out lately since I've been personalizing ornaments like no one's business. My colleagues from PersonalizedFree.com think I have a 5 second photographic memory or something of the sort that allows me to inscribe the ornaments so much faster than others.

I may be blinking like a fish eyed goon when I look up from my desk and my back has certainly become much more knotted in the last few weeks, but I really do enjoy the work. It's meditative. Crafty and a little challenging, distracting enough to give me peace but not to complex to drain my brain.

The dreaded "Happy Duggar Snowman Family"

Unfortunately--and also thankfully--the Christmas season only comes but once a year and my fling as an ornament personalizer will soon end. The money will be nice but will mostly be relegated to outstanding debts or soothing savings accounts that will hopefully maintain their balances and prevent any further panic attacks!

But the money wasn't the most important thing for me--having something to do was the most important thing. Having people to socialize with, swap small talk and stories with--people that I don't live with and that I'm not related to. I think the ephemeral aspects of work are just as important as the monetary compensation.

In less than two weeks my lifestyle will be jolted back into unemployment. Sure, I'll be able to get to more yoga classes (which I've missed dearly) but I'll also have little to no reason to leave the house otherwise. And (as my readers will know) cabin fever is not my biggest concern.

Even working what might seem like a silly, part time job has given me more purpose and direction and drive in my day-to-day life, something sitting at home and cleaning house just can't do for me. Thankfully, I see the end and will be able to prepare for this transition and hopefully use some of my momentum to being an active job search once again-but the prick of fear has already torn my heart.

I have been so low that my biggest fear has become myself. The most realistic threat to my life is my own mind...

Speaking of which I may be listening to too much NPR (if this is possible). Walking to my car this frosty morning I felt threatened by the open space from my car port to the parking space by the front office-as if I could be easily dispatched by sniper or cross fire!

In bittersweet, semi-related news I heard a wonderful and haunting story about the first Arab woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize-and also the youngest recipient of any gender to date.

Tawakkul Karman-Check her out!

And now, I will sleep :o)

Whew

Today was a little rough, but I made it through in decent spirits!

Left work a little earlier than anticipated because my shoulder knot was giving me some sharp pains (I have chronic shoulder tension and crouching over a desk for hours on end doesn't exactly help the situation). I was able to eat some hot lunch and rest before my volunteer shift at PAWS.

I was happy to see that one of my former "patients" made it out of Cat Isolation and onto the adoption floor. He's a sweet guy named Bud and the first time I saw him I thought of my brother! For some reason, they have an uncanny and inexplicable resemblance.

In related news, I had a fascinating dream last night where the aforementioned brother became a transvestite. He looked pretty good too! Lots of bronzer and a tiny pink skirt....

Anywho. The rest of my shift went pretty well. It's been two weeks since I was at the shelter and I did forget to make notes on the cats' appetites but otherwise I had everything under control-except for the drool.

I have never been drooled on so much. I guess that's what happens when you get lucky enough to have a shift without any diarrhea. The drooly cats were sweet, just too sweet for having all that drool. I don't exactly want kisses and snuggles under my chin when they're dripping globs of drool!

I really do enjoy spending time with the cats in ISO-even with the drool and diarrhea :o)