We Made It...

...to Syracuse!

Lana, Leo and I spent our first weekend at my parent's house. Boy, was it an adjustment for the two of them. Here, there is a black cat named Midnight who hates other cats. Lana got a taste of her on Friday night when she ventured to the bay window in the living room and Midnight was on the other side. With Midnight's hiss, Lana shot off toward the safety of my bedroom! Since it's still warm outside, Midnight spends most of her time outdoors, and I can let my babes roam the house. When she comes in to eat, Lana and Leo are banished to my room. Midnight then proceeds to stalk the house looking for the intruders into her domain. She has now figured out that they are behind the closed door. She then puts her nose under the door and begins to cry and hiss until someone shoos her away.

This should be quite interesting over the next two weeks!

The Vet

This morning I took Lana to the vet to update her rabies vaccination. I have never seen this girl so wide eyed and quiet in her life! At this particular vet office, cats roam free wherever they want to go (except the basement). A cute little gray kitten named Sarah took an instant liking to my lap and my hand. Poor Lana was in her carrier the whole time and was a little miffed that I was paying attention to the adorable baby and not soothing her. When we finally went into an exam room, Lana wouldn't get out of her cage. Once I could drag her out, I put her on the scale and found out she weighs 10lbs 11oz! What a chunker! The vet reprimanded me for letting her free feed due to all the carbs in her dry food. Lana got her shots and hissed and scratched her way through the exam and then we were finally done! I made sure to give her extra treats when she got home.

Now that I know how much Lana weighs, I'm afraid to have Leo weighed! He's twice her size!

MG!!!!

....is Mama Goose!!! How could I not recognize the initials! For those of you who are confused, MG is my friend Anne Marie. Her nickname is a long story...

I hate packing. But, it's quite liberating getting rid of a lot of stuff. It forces me to say, "Do I really need this?" If I even hesitate, I chuck it. I have a huge spot in my living room that is being taken up by items that will be donated. Anyone need a desk, dining room table, or futon?

So the cats are now getting used to wearing collars. They never have before, but I'm not driving 2,000 miles with them only to lose one of them and not get him or her back. Leo slipped his this morning, although I think it was just because it was cheap and not because of an ability to undo it. :)

FYI: My official goodbye to NY will be on Sept. 14th, my mom's birthday. Sorry Mom!

Non-stop thoughts...

First business... MG, who are you? I don't recognize your initials. Thanks for following! :)

Next... I haven't been able to calm my mind down from thoughts of the big move. Thursday night I went to bed at midnight, only to fall asleep at 5 am! For the life of me, I couldn't sleep. Mostly, I was thinking about the drive out there. It's 2,000 miles away! Also, I'm dragging two cats along, so I hope they will handle the drive well. I was also thinking of what the people will be like once I get there. I didn't hear an accent in any of the Montanans during the interview, and I was a little disappointed. :/ I was really hoping to adopt one!

Since being offered the job, I have found myself thinking constantly about Montana, not just at night when I'm trying to get my beauty rest. I feel somewhat bad, for most of my conversations have been about the move. I know it's still new, but I don't like monopolizing conversations (to the disbelief of a lot of you who really know me!).

Even though I'm excited and anxious, Lana and Leo are excited too. They are loving all the boxes in the living room!

The Big Sky awaits!

"How do you feel about wind?" One of the interviewers asked me.

Today I had a phone interview for my dream job of being an in-school therapist to adolescents. Yes, it's in Montana. Why Montana you may ask? I've always wanted to go there and I finally got my wish. How many people can say that they get their dream job right out of school? I CAN!! I am moving to Shelby, Montana, population 3,300. It's a rural town with no access to mental health treatment, so they have in-school therapists for the kids. They also asked how I would adapt to small town living. When I told them the populations of Chittenango and Bridgeport (next to my hometown), they fully understood that I'm a country girl. So I begin this blog to tell you all of my great adventure of moving 3/4 across the USA (with Lana and Leo, of course), and having an experience of a lifetime!

I wonder if I could get a cowboy hat for the cats...