Off to visit family in Tennessee for a couple of days. A nice break with no internet (which also has a downside: no Skype chats with Matt) and, hopefully, at least a little knitting.
My backseat companion for the trip...
He agrees that I snap far too many photos of him...
And because I think his nose is his cutest feature...
Here's hoping he's this relaxed for his first long distance trip. :)
The girls arrived safely and were shockingly calm. It really wasn't the personality shattering experience I thought it might be. Within minutes they were exploring all three floors, basking in sunny spots, checking under and lying on top of beds, purring and looking out windows. I am so relieved. It really was incredibly strange to see them on his side of the video camera but it was also incredibly wonderful.
It took much longer than we would have ever imagined for them to be released. Thankfully, the girls
were immediately taken out of their cages and looked over by a vet
which gave them a much needed break from hours in their kennels.
...knitting...
Just bound off the Summer Lace Shawlette. We had some problems, that gal and I, and there were more than a few rows ripped back due to the fact that I got a little too comfortable at times and there was more than a little cursing but I'm pleased and can't wait to see how it looks once it's blocked.
Now I guess I'll go back to finishing the reading mitts or maybe go ahead and cast on Stella's Hat just because I'm anxious to knit with the Misti Alpaca - it's so soft.
It seems weird to think that I won't be going downstairs to spend an hour to two with them tonight. Mom just poured herself a glass of water and I thought, "I need to fill their water bowls." Sigh.
Matt already has a great little set up for them - I asked him to send photos - and I know he'll shower them with lots of attention. And, after two months of staying in my parents' basement, they're going to love all of the sunny windows. Still, it'll be strange to see them on his side of the camera when we do a Skype chat tomorrow.
Wish I was going to be on that flight with them....
I have at least two blog posts from the past couple of days stashed away as unfinished drafts but I thought I would go ahead and post a little bit of news.
The girls are going home on Thursday.
Yes, I'm still hanging out here in Ohio but my two cats, Mina and Lucy, are hopping on a plane Thursday night. I really wanted us to go at the same time but this is the last week that Delta is offering non-stop service from Cincinnati to London and we really didn't want to mess with any layovers. A four hour check in and an eight hour flight plus at least a couple of hours on the other end was enough - we didn't need to add in a five hour layover somewhere.
Unfortunately, the process hasn't been easy. We thought - and were advised as much in several calls to Delta - we could call three days prior to the flight date and purchase a ticket. We had even been given a cost - $650 for the first cat and $20 for the second. Turns out Delta doesn't fly animals overseas unless you go through a third party shipping service. And the $670? Customs fees. The ticket is that much more over again. And then there are the fees the shipping services charges...needless to say, it's expensive.
Yesterday Matt and I spent at least five hours on Skype and he spent most of that calling Delta a half dozen times and talking to several companies that specialize in shipping pets. Things actually got even more complicated when we did find a company to use. It doesn't tell you anywhere that there's a form that has to be stamped and signed by the USDA and that getting that stamp and signature could take several days or several weeks. Thankfully, there's an office an hour and a half from here and there was an available appointment so tomorrow, after taking the girls to the vet to finalize the passport paperwork and get them checked for ticks and fleas, I'm driving up to get what we need to get them on a plane on Thursday.
I'm worried about the stress of the trip on the little fur balls but I think it'll be worth it once they have three floors of space and lots of sunny windows to lounge in. Right now they're in the basement, poor things. Plus, you know, having Matt to shower them with affection won't be bad either.
So the cats will be there on Friday and my belongings are due to arrive next week which means everything will be in Salisbury...except me.
*Kittyspeak translation: "We're going home!"
Considering that this was supposed to be what I would work on during my flight home to Salisbury, finishing it was incredibly bittersweet.
Gaia Shoulder HugNoro Kureyon Sock Yarn #S40
US 4/3.5 mm needle
I canceled my old blog, Dainty Kitty just now. Deletion was shockingly instantaneous and I feel a little stunned and a lot sad. At first I thought it was silly that it nearly brought me to tears but I've been Dainty Kitty for a long time, longer than the two years I had that blog - we had a relationship - so it only makes sense that it would be a little heart wrenching to say goodbye. I love that name given to me by my little cat, Mina, who sits so daintily and I'm glad that I use it to so many other places - I'd hate to give it up completely.
I wish I'd taken a screen shot of it before I let it go, too - I loved that layout and the adorable banner (thanks again, Bertha). Eventually I'll have to recreate it in its new home.
