Sweet

​

Just look at our sweet girl, patiently waiting for a few head scratches and posing like a professional model. It's hard to believe she's been with us for almost seven months now. Little by little, she's settling in and becoming more comfortable every day.

She's still not quite ready to greet visitors, but for Tim and me, she's become affectionate, playful, and surprisingly social. Watching her slowly trade the uncertainty of life on the streets, and later, the loneliness of a shelter cage, for the comfort and safety of a loving home has been incredibly rewarding. Trust isn't built overnight, but she's proving that with enough patience, kindness, and time, even the most timid hearts can learn to feel at home.

With Bridie and the kids arriving soon, I have a feeling she'll retreat to one of her favorite hiding spots until the excitement settles down. As much as she's come out of her shell, I don't think she's quite ready for the chaos that children naturally bring. Maybe one day she'll decide to join the fun, but for now, watching from a safe distance seems to suit her just fine.

Tim and I went out to dinner and somehow the conversation turned to the possibility of adopting another cat...or maybe even two. Would a feline friend help her become even more confident, or would our little basement cat prefer to remain the queen of her castle? It's impossible to know. Either way, we've decided to wait until fall or winter before making any decisions. Summer is simply too busy, and bringing a new pet into the mix deserves the time and attention it requires.

Speaking of new, my new chair cushions arrived, along with a replacement cushion for the outdoor swing. Amazing what a difference fresh cushions can make! Everything looks so clean and inviting, giving the furniture the facelift it desperately needed. Now I'm just waiting for the slipcovers for the sectional cushions, and then...I'll finally be finished. Well, aren't those are the famous last words of someone who's always finding one more project...or two. 

Case in point, I came up with the brilliant idea of swapping the large storage bin on the deck with the newer one down on the patio. Tim wasn't nearly as enthusiastic as I was, mostly because they're both enormous, awkward, and anything but lightweight. Thankfully, with the holiday weekend ahead, we'll likely have a house full of strong, capable men who have learned that visiting my house usually comes with an unexpected project. If I had to guess, those storage bins will mysteriously switch places before the weekend is over.

As for the Fourth of July, I haven't made any firm plans. We may spend most of the weekend at the beach, or we may end up with everyone here. Plans have a funny way of changing at the last minute, so I'll be prepared for anything... order enough groceries to feed twenty-plus people on a moment's notice, just in case, or lounge at the beach and dine on sandwiches... all good options. 

Now all I have to do is order those groceries, finish cleaning the house, make up the guest beds, stock the beach towels, fill the snack baskets, and somehow squeeze it all into a couple of evening hours.

No big deal...right?