The cats seemed to think my clothes-drying rack is a kitty bunkbed:

I had to remove Michiko from sleeping on my sweaters at least four times before I gave up on her…but Hasani knows darned well he’s not supposed to be up there, as evidenced by him attempting to make a quick getaway when I tried to snap a picture:

And now for something completely TMI…

My darling firstborn daughter got her first tattoo today! (And as much as she whined about it hurting, it could be her last…) I’m just really glad it was done by Jennifer Billig of Atlas Tattoo, because she does such amazingly great work! The step-by-step pics can be found in my Ink gallery, and here’s the final product:

Maybe this won’t be quite as funny as it was at 3 in the morning (when Lyse and I were giggling on the verge of hysteria over it), but hopefully it’s still good for a few chuckles. Angst spent a couple days at her friend’s house, and that friend owns a pet hedgehog that is allowed to run around the house. We heard all about it, because Angst announced as we all went to the back patio for a smoke, “My butt hurts.”

And now for something completely TMI…

Like most mornings, I was nudged awake this morning by Zadya plopping her considerable bulk onto my pillow — and half of my face. I obligingly moved my head over (so I could continue to breathe), and pulled one hand from under the covers to pet her sleepily. My beloved curled into me, groping for my free hand with his, and clasping it firmly against my chest as he spooned me. Zadya purred, Geoffrey sighed contentedly in his sleep, and I luxuriated in the warmth & love surrounding me.

When Zadya stood to rearrange herself on my pillow, I turned over to curl into Geoffrey’s embrace, and slid my leg over his, bumping my foot into another napping feline. Blinking against the light, I lifted my head just enough to see past the mound of covers, and saw Michiko nestled against his thigh, with Hasani curled up at his feet. Relaxing again into the pillow and my beloved, I was overcome with an amazing feeling that, if translated into words, might say this:

I’m surrounded by 3 drowsy cats, and snuggled into the love of my life — who lovingly reaches for me in his sleep, and calms instantly at my caress when he has bad dreams — in a wonderfully warm and cozy bed, under a fabulously-heavy mound of blankets topped by the afghan I recently finished in my 3 favorite colors, in a bedroom with lavender walls that’s filled with lots of happy memories. I want this blissful moment to last forever.

It couldn’t, and I knew it. But, while it lasted, I think I treasured it as much as was possible…and was content to hope I’ll be blessed with many more moments like it, in years to come.

Here’s something holiday-related to chew on.

This year, I sent non-religious “happy holidays” cards to everyone on my holiday card list who wasn’t Pagan, and Solstice cards to those who are Pagan or Pagan-friendly. Next year, all the relatives who sent me Xmas cards with heavy Christian themes — such as the one that says, “Let Jesus be the One your heart celebrates this Christmas” — are getting Solstice cards from me. I’m not trying to be a bitch, and I’m not anti-Christian (in fact, when it comes to religions other than my own, I’m one of the most tolerant & respectful people out there). But the truth is that Christ is not the “reason for the season” for more than 2/3 of the world’s population!

I get a bit sick of those people (Christian or otherwise!) who claim to be tolerant of other faiths, but who are barely civil (or even rather rude!) about religious practices not their own and who take every opportunity to proselytize or try to convert you, while expecting people of other faiths to be respectful and accepting of their beliefs. Hypocrisy is not pretty, people.

What goes around, comes around — regardless of what God/dess you believe in.

This is all Karel’s fault… Wow, I got a great title!

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Royal Highness Lilith the Sardonic of Pease Pottage Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Hmm, what was the naughtiest thing I did this year, anyway? Well, I said some not-nice things, usually about the stupidity of people on the road while I was driving…but compared to any previous year, I’ve been downright saintly about bad-mouthing in general. (I can’t even remember the last time I said something nasty about an ex. Wow.)

You Were Nice This Year!

You’re an uber-perfect person who is on the top of Santa’s list. You probably didn’t even *think* any naughty thoughts this year. Unless you’re a Mormon, you’ve probably been a little too good. Is that extra candy cane worth being a sweetheart for 365 days straight?

Damn, it looks like this has been an excrutiatingly boring year for naughtiness in my life…quite possibly the most boring year I’ve had since 1985 — the year I first drank, first smoked, and first had sex. (Suddenly I have the urge to run right out, pick up a sailor, get drunk, dance on a table, have cheap & meaningless sex, and maybe mug a nun for good measure.)

Oh, hey, I just remembered — I pirated a few downloads! Woo hoo, I was naughty! (Kind of.)

I saw a quote that simply begs to be needlepointed:

That the birds of discontent fly about your head, that is unavoidable; but that they make a nest in your hair, that is preventable.

As soon as I’ve finished the other 17 projects I’m currently embroiled in…

This little gadget only gives you 5 results, no matter how many names you put in (I tried putting in everyone I knew, because I’m greedy)…but it’s hilarious!!! At least, my twisted sense of humor thought so.

	Here’s What Lil Will Get for Christmas!
Molly will get you half a jar of salsa.
Mari will get you your very own field of poppies.
Lyse will get you new nipple rings.
Karel will get you five pounds of cheese.
Geoffrey will get you smallpox.
‘What Will you Get for Christmas?’ at QuizGalaxy.com

It feels kinda strange to get a bunch of stuff accomplished before my first cup of coffee in the morning. Good, but strange.

When my eldest bought her baby bearded dragon lizard, we thought a heatlamp would be all the heat-source it would need. Alas, the heatlamp proved inadequate, and so last night when the demonspawn went to the mall, she picked up a under-tank heating pad designed for small reptiles. Since the dragon’s original cage was acrylic, however, the heating pad wasn’t compatible, and so I asked Geoffrey if he could bring in the aquarium that’s been sitting in the garage unused for a few years now.

I also had a nasty migraine last night, which sprung up while Anxiety & I were at the laundromat Monday morning, doing the überwash. So I wasn’t tracking too well, and figured I’d better not attempt more than crocheting. (You know you’re in bad shape when you’re doing something that you have almost 20 years’ experience in, that normally you could do in your sleep, and you’re making mistakes every few minutes.) A migraine is a great way to get me into bed several hours before my usual bedtime…but at least I was up very early, keeping to a normal-ish schedule!

And now for something completely TMI…