For the month of September I plan to document daily steps I have taken towards a chic, elegant and healthy life. My goal is to keep uppermost in my mind the kind of life I want to live. I will be focusing on all the small things I do each day that lead me towards my goal, rather than away from it.
Here are today’s mini-chic accomplishments:
Had a thought that one doesn’t need to be moving house to try and streamline their possessions, in this case I was thinking specifically of the kitchen. Already I have started looking through the pantry thinking of meals that can use up the ingredients we have, supplementing with fresh food.
We don’t have a huge stockpile because our kitchen and indeed current home isn’t large at all, so it won’t be a difficult task. But I thought it might be a good thing to do on a regular basis to avoid waste of both food and money. And to keep the kitchen cupboards from becoming too cluttery. It will be nice to have a fresh start at our new place.
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Dressed up extra nice with a new top, skinny jeans and high-heeled boots. I straightened my hair and looped it up, and wore a silver and pearl necklace my Aunty gave me for my fortieth (it’s Italian!). Lip gloss and perfume were a given of course.
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Dropped off bags of knitting yarn to the SPCA and made myself sad by walking around the dog and cat adoption areas. The women at reception (and others who came out of their offices) were very excited to see all the full bags of wool (five bags full, not three). Many of them were knitters and they make small square blankets so each cat adoption cage has one for the cat to snuggle into.
I then delivered a few more bags of knitting yarn to the Cats in Need Trust and ended up adopting a two-and-a-half year old cat Jessica who needs a quiet home with no other cats. I won’t be picking her up until we move into our new place so I have sponsored her for a couple of months.
The woman who runs the rescue cattery (it’s behind her home, such dedication) knew every cat individually and all their names. She showed me how cats that had been wild now came to her and hopped up into her arms, purring loudly and sometimes bunting. And it’s all thanks to the time she spends with them, loving them and gaining their trust.
Each had their own charm. I fell in love with a one-eyed cat Holly who had a best friend Cruskit - they slept in the same basket each night. I have barely gotten my husband to agree to one cat let alone two but I thought I could swing it with the one-eye sympathy vote.
I asked the lady which cat out of the ones she had introduced me to needed a home the most and she told me Jessica. Because Jessica likes her own space and doesn’t really enjoy having other cats around her she was easily stressed in her high-cat environment (sounds like me, I love being at home by myself and can’t stand crowds. Jessica and I, we were separated at birth).
So I took home a receipt for sponsorship of Jessica. She is getting her vaccinations and micro-chipping in readiness for her new life. Didn’t I adopt a pet in the last 30 chic days? I hope Jessica lasts longer than wee Atlas. He didn’t have much time left though bless his wee woolly soul.
I forgot to take a photo but in due course you will be introduced to our new girl Jessica.
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If you feel like you want to make September a chic month for you as well, please join me. You are welcome to share your mini-chic accomplishments for the day (or the previous day if you read in the morning) in the comments section. It would be lovely to have you along for the ride!
Image is NOT the wool I donated, but delicious Rowan Big Wool Fusion Yarn. Yum.
It's a challenge to be chic while living with an Extreme Rash from poison oak or ivy! I was trying to be "chic" while helping a friend clear out a vine-ridden patch of her yard Tuesday night and ended up with THIS. I think I'll try a chic oatmeal bath a couple of times today.
ReplyDeleteJessica sounds delightful. My first cat Sasha had that personality and we were perfect for each other! I can't wait to see a picture of her.
ReplyDeleteYou have such a kind heart! Looking forward to seeing pictures of your new adoptee.
ReplyDeleteJessica will be a very lucky cat.
ReplyDeleteI hope that she settles in to the new house and claims it as her domain. When are you moving in?
Oh, Fiona, I am so glad you are getting a kitty. Maybe after you are moved and settled, you can get it a little buddy (puppy/dog). xxBliss
ReplyDeleteAll of my animals are rescues. A very chic way to extend your kind heart to another creature, and she will help make your new house a real home!
ReplyDeleteDear Fiona,
ReplyDeletecongratulations on acquiring a new home and a new house pet to boot! :) both of my dogs were rescue dogs and I'm sure than any other pets I get from here on out will be acquired the same way :)
I've always been more of a dog person but after spending a week in Oregon with my friend and her adorable cat Alcyone, I think I really like the ambiance a cat brings to the household. I, too, await for pictures.
I'm more of a dog person (both Hubs and I are allergic to cats so we can never have one) but Jessica sounds splendid for you - I like that name for a cat! :)
ReplyDeleteAll of my pets are rescues too. My beloved old cat died just two weeks ago, so we are going to adopt a rescue kitten soon - needs to be a kitten to adapt to our houseful of dogs, other cat and kids. I love that you are adopting an adult cat and I think Jessica is very lucky.
ReplyDeleteRebecca, Oh no! You poor thing. I hope you gain some relief soon.
ReplyDeleteStephanie, I feel like she is mine already, and I want to bring her to our current place, but it would be unfair. She's settled where she is for now.
Juhli, I will post it as soon as possible!
Hostess, I'm sure she will find the sunny spots pronto. We will be in by the end of October, or hopefully sooner.
Bliss, exactly.
Gretchen, when I told my husband she was kind of plain, and didn't really like other cats he asked if I could just get a normal cat. I hope he was joking.
Aspen, I used to think cats were pointless, because we had dogs. Now I know they are different to dogs, and wonderful in their own way. That cats had such distinct and varied personalities came as a surprise to me.
LR, when I flatted with my sister I had my two former (may they rest in peace) cats with me. One morning my sister came down from her bedroom and the fluffy cat had slept on her pillow all night. My sisters eyes were like two bagels! I'm sure she can sympathise with you.
Tiffany, I'm so sorry to hear of your precious puss. May s/he rest in peace over Rainbow Bridge.
Congratulations on your new addition. Jessica is one lucky girl! I know how you loved and cared for Atlas - glad that he got to spend his last months in a loving home.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly why I avoid animal shelters! I'd want to bring dozens of them home!
ReplyDeleteCherie, thank you. Little Atlas will be turning in his grave that a CAT is moving in! He and Jessica would be about the same size so she can use his bed and pillow etc. Just not the harness.
ReplyDeleteShelly, I wouldn't recommend going to a fun day out, but I had already planned to adopt a cat from there, just after we moved and not before! I volunteered every month at the SPCA for four years before we opened our shoe shop and was fine even though I have a very open and sympathetic heart and things get to me easily. I had my two rescue cats at home and I cared for my charges at the SPCA. I found it surprisingly easy to separate the two.