Year in Review - Part two

So, when I last left off, We moved to NC, had mayhem, and bought a home. 

The good:  Three bedroom (ish) (it had a den I converted into an office for me. Catman needed an office and I needed a kitten room). It has an inground pool. The main bedroom has a beautiful bathroom which we both adore.. (who knew a pretty walk-in shower could be a game changer for someone with ED about taking a shower) The main bedroom is on the opposite side of the house from the kitten room (IYKYK) and the kitten room is was built that adding a second door was totally do-able.. thankgoodness!

The not so good: we have an HOA.. *headdesk* and yes, it is as annoying as you might think.  We get email reminders to mow the lawn and trim the hedges on the regular.  The shelter that is just down the road is a closed admission (it isn't a shelter it is a rescue, so they pick and choose who they help) which is not where my passion is.  I went to the county shelter which is about 24 minutes away and to foster or volunteer you need to pass a background check. No reason I couldn't, but that just felt invasive. There is another county shelter but that is down some pretty heavily trafficked highways (that always make the news each morning for accidents) and so I am left trying to figure out what my other options are. 

I did finally start fostering (for the one close to me) That took some time. I contacted them almost immediately to find out what they required. I hadn't put my second door in yet, but I was hopeful it would come soon. No response. I went in, and I was told to fill out a form, so I did. I waited. No response. I went back in, this time I was told the form I filled out was the wrong one, and I should fill out the form online.. so I did. and I waited.. and waited.. 

I had other things going on, and I'm not one to push in to where it feels like I am not wanted, so I checked out the other options.. 

Finally.. I was offered kittens.. (that will be another post). I have fostered three sets of kittens for them at this point, (technically we ended up combining two sets so really only fostered twice) and while it was so nice to have kittens again, it wasn't the ideal experience.  Would I foster for them again, yes. Will I be looking for other options. also yes.

Through all of this, I was offered a job. The corporation I worked for before the move had an office down here and one of the women was going to be on medical leave and then reduced duty for quite some time, so for about a year I worked part time for them.  A few weeks ago they were told to cut expenses and because of my "management experience" at my last place, I am pretty expensive. So now I'm available to cover vacation times if needed. Since we are in the amazing position that I don't need to work, this is nice for now.  I might change my mind and seek something else out - because it is basically the only time I socialize in person - but I have books to read and crafts to craft.. and hopefully, more kittens to care for.. 

And then in April we lost Skippy.  It was so hard.. but that too, is a different post.