Late March snowstorm

March is always a month of unpredictable, fickle weather, but this year, it's really kept us on our toes. We had snow March 1st - unusual, but not unheard of - and thought that was it for the season's end. Then, just as the trees started to bud out, and the long-asleep bulbs started to push their little heads above the soil, we were surprised again. On March 22nd, quite late by Portland standards, we got enough snow to delay school by two hours.

The front yard was blanketed with white, and at 7am, a few hardy souls were brave enough to attempt to make it down our steep hill in their cars. I was not ready for that adventure quite yet...

 

Busy as ever with work, I hadn't yet gotten around to changing the St. Patrick's Day flag - guess I really couldn't decide whether the new one should depict Winter or Spring... On this particular morning, the decision was made for me: two inches of snow had accumulated on top of the flag/pole!



Out back on the deck, where its perch wasn't quite so precarious, the evidence of 3 inches was apparent. So glad school was delayed. If the school buses couldn't make it up the hill to us, chances are I wouldn't make it down!



Views from the upper back deck were breathtaking, as bare limbs were coated in frost and snow, and the boughs of the evergreens held the snow lovingly for optimum display.

        

But, alas, it was not to last. It warmed up quickly and by 8:00, the snow was already melting a bit and dripping from the eaves, making strange impressions in the snow that Xeda had to check out. Out of character for her, really, since she never has any interest in venturing outdoors. Guess even she realized this was an unusual occurrence!

 

By the time school was out and we were back home again, the neighborhood was its normal green self, with no evidence of all the excitement, save a few sad remnants of hastily built snowmen in occasional front yards. No snowman for our sleepyhead family. Guess the memories will have to do!

ACMA Prom 2011

So, the lavender dress won, and I started on the minor alterations required. When she put the dress on for the final fitting, Sarah tucked in the straps and liked it that way. It looked lovely strapless, so we decided to have her wear it that way.

I left the dress on the sofa in the living room while I went to the fabric store to buy matching thread. I'd settled on placing two darts in the back to give the dress a snugger fit, especially now that there would be no straps holding it in place. I got home, put the darts in, and noticed a ragged-looking piece of ribbon attached to the bodice. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was a (former) strap. Xeda, lover of all things ribbon-like, had apparently discovered the dress on the sofa while I was gone, and had eaten away most of the right strap! Damn cat!



Good thing Sarah had already chosen to go strapless! A couple of snips and the rest of the straps were gone completely.

At the last minute on Saturday, I realized we didn't have a silver bag for her to carry, so Emily and I went off on a purse hunt. Not only did we find a perfect clutch, but we also came across a necklace made for the occasion. Honestly, the stones were the perfect shade of lavender, and the silver chain tied in with the filigree on the dress like it was meant to be. We brought it home, where Emily found a couple of beads just the right shade and size, and, together with more silver chain, whipped up a pair of matching earrings. What a great sister!



The three of "us girls" had a great time getting Sarah ready, getting her makeup, hair, and jewelry just right. I must say, she dresses up pretty well, that daughter of mine!

     

OK, so here is the breakdown on our four-day rush to get her ready for Prom at the last minute on a budget:

• Dress: $20
• Shoes: $4
• Purse: $6
• Necklace: $10
• Ticket to Prom: $32.50
• Total cost: A real bargain!

The whole experience: Priceless!

Xeda

We leave tomorrow morning for Yellowstone. This evening, as we pack and make preparations for our trip, I'm feeling rather sorry for our cat, Xeda. She senses that something is going on. In her little cat brain, I'm sure she's remembering that, in the past, when suitcases start piling up, she's left alone.

Poor Xeda. She will be well cared for. Emily's friend, Emily, will be by once a day to feed her, clean the litter box, and play with her - if Xeda will let her. She's not the most social of cats. Particularly if you aren't a family member.

Xeda is social in her own way. She wants to be in the rooms where we are, just for the company. But she wants that company on her own cat-like terms. She is allowed to rub against our legs, as desired, and will usually willingly accept a head rub, in passing. (Especially from Larry's feet. He's the expert at hands-free head rubs.) But, if we dare try to pet her when she's not in the mood, we are likely to be hissed at, or even nipped.



Xeda has not been a lap cat since she was a kitten. We've wished she were, and have tried to coax her into it, but one can only take so many rejections. Finally, we just accepted the sad fact that she isn't that kind of cat.

Then, suddenly, a few months back, she started jumping up onto my lap as I was stretched out watching TV. At first, it was our little secret. She would only jump onto me if no one else was around, and only if I were lying on the sofa. (Perhaps I was her last resort friend?) Once she got settled in place, she'd go to sleep - sometimes we'd even nap together - until someone else entered the room. Then, she'd jump down, all guilty-like, and pretend she didn't know me. Eventually, she started jumping onto my lap when I was sitting in the chair, and now, she even lets herself be seen in my lap by others. Very risky! If Larry is around, however, he always takes precedence for company. He is her favorite.



So, the question remains, will she let Emily the cat-sitter play with her? I wish I could be sure. She's as likely to hide from her as she is to hiss at her. But, in the past, she's allowed Emily to pet her a bit. I suppose if you're lonely enough, you'll welcome any kind of human interaction. I hope for Emily's sake that Xeda is friendly. It's a lot more fun to cat-sit if the kitty is friendly.

As for us, we'll be oh, so much more loved when we get back. Xeda is nothing if not grateful for her family's return.