UPDATE: So sad :(

So, we took Luc to Humane Society of Boulder Valley (where we got him) this morning. And even though I cried the whole time we were there, I feel a little bit better. They gave us a number to call to check on him and see if he's been adopted and they told us that the average adoption time for a young, male cat is only 6 days. If they decide that he's not suitable for adoption, they will call us and let us come get him instead. And then we'll have to figure something else out, but they sounded pretty positive that it wouldn't come to that (although they couldn't promise anything).

So I feel a miniscule amount better. And sad. But, I think we're doing the right thing in the end. I hope he's happier wherever he ends up than he has been with us over the last few months.

So sad :(

So, the vet confirmed it this morning: we have to find our cat, Luc (Luke) a new home.

I think I've told most of you stories about the behavioral issues he's been having and the vet's theory is that they're mostly related to him feeling he's in competition with Evie over me. As she's gotten bigger and more agile, he's become more comfortable with getting at her with his claws. The final straw came a few days ago when he scratched her across the face and it was a near miss for both eyes. As some of you have seen, he also has some issues with carpet and howling; our vet thinks they all stem from the same place. And as I see his territorialness and aggressiveness escalating, I know we have to do this.

But I am so heartbroken and feel so guilty! I have asked around a few friends and no one can take him. I don't think we have a choice but to take him back to the Humane Society. We're going to send out fliers to Mik's company and a wider range of people I know here and offer to pay his adoption fee if they want him.

It sucks.

I've lived with eight cats and never had these issues before, never even considered giving one up. It is awful. I think we're going to take him tomorrow, and I can't bear to think about it.

Caveat: None of this is intended to make any of you feel like you need to take him! I just needed to tell some friends what I was going through because it sucks.

Abdate (Abby Update)

Hello friends far and farther! It's high time for a little update. I'd love to hear what everyone else is up to, too, please! :) I'm writing from the little employee closet/office space at the Mountain View Market Kitchen where I have been working for the past 3 weeks. I seem to have left Ithaca only to find myself at the closest thing to the ABC Cafe in Southern New Mexico. Ha! It's easy, fun, and lots of my friends come in. After 3 years of studying mental health and 3 months of not working/traveling/contemplation I came to the conclusion that taking the path of least resistance (taking a job where I was being offered one), honoring long-developed relationships (by staying in town), and doing something that I wholly believe in and where I can have a voice and an impact (community-supported/supporting, local, sustainable, healthful food and products) would really be the most happiness-supporting. Apologies for the run-on sentence; I'm going for expediency here over perfection, something that has long been a personal challenge. Here's the co-op website: http://mountainviewmarket.coop. The head of HR asked me to teach one of the monthly health & wellness classes and next month I'll be co-teaching a "Gluten Free Holiday Brunch!" class with a fellow co-op glutard. We're pretty pumped. It's nice to be more than a cog in the wheel and to be valued for my brain and insight. Besides, most of the people I work with are darn rad cats. My brother got back from Japan in August and I got to see him for the first time in almost 2 years. That was rad! He's fun (if increasingly quirky) dude. My parents are still living in Dixon, NM, but it's at 7,000 feet of elevation and too cold and snowy for them. They are thinking of moving closer to Santa Fe after the winter. Most of my dad's doctors are in/near Santa Fe, which is about a 45 minute drive for them currently. This is a big priority, and Santa Fe is closer to me, so yay!

You probably all know that I've moved in with my boyfriend Sean. Some of you (well, Erica, and incidentally Alex Ritzenburg and Molly Allen) have met him. It's my first domestic partnership!! Still kinda blows my mind. I have sort of thought of myself as the "perpetually single" type even though I've had a number of relationships and dated people between them. We have so much fun together and I'm scared to say it, but I love him. Scary because he's "my type," you know, doesn't have a steady job, doesn't want the government to know anything about him or where he is, etc. Hahah. He's totally reasonable, though, and cognizant of how he might need to grow up should things get more serious. And he showers me with love and affection--when he doesn't have low blood sugar--which is something I can get behind. So that is all beautiful. The only bummer part is that he is a touring musician and only home about half time. It's good, too, in a way since we miss and appreciate each other when we are together and get to develop and exist as independent individuals when we are apart. No chance of codependence or enmeshing. Sean's clever and crafty and though he doesn't do things conventionally he's super good at getting things done. I was impressed to learn recently that he got a 1510 on the SAT. I bet I beat him in the math, though, haha. Anywhoo, enough about Sean I suppose. What else? In two days I'm running a trail race, the Chihuahuan Desert Dash 10K. It's been a while since I've run an organized race--early May?--and I'm pumped for a new t-shirt! My running has been a bit lax this summer and fall following the apex of my 14-mile "heavy" half marathon trail race in April. Wish me luck! Jack is still a lovely little guy, 8 years old. He's starting to get a little skinny, losing muscle mass with older age. He refuses to run (distances) with me, though he will sprint to play ball. Charlie, Sean's dog, has taken his place in that capacity. :(/:) My yoga mat got lost in the move and I've been stiff. A new mat's the next thing I'm going to buy for myself. Also heat. The house is getting chilly and it's been a hassle trying to get the heat turned on. The inside temperature has been hovering in the mid 60s during the day and the low 60s at night. I've been taking baths and letting the water cool overnight so the heat dissipates into the house and baking baking baking. Wearing layers and waking up to crisp air is like camping! Let's see what recent pictures I can find to attach... please see facebook for a recent photo album of our little casita! Much love to you, my St. Mary's sisters.

Photos include: Jesse and me on my parents' couch in August (he's wearing my dad's glasses), Sean and our buddy Chris practicing at my old house before a show, some of my friends at a solstice party in the park this summer, my friend Ammie and I at Yosemite (she traveled with me this summer and met Erin!), Sean and I in front of Mike and Molly's before going to my cousin Alana's wedding, and some friends of mine taking a break from wandering around Albuquerque late this spring. Slice o' life!