I am on cloud 9! I just got a phone call from Simone's human! He got home about ten minutes ago, he said, and called me right away. Perfect! (When people don't call, I feel all freaked out that maybe they didn't get home okay, and maybe their little animals still need me! I always feel better once I hear from them!) Then he told me that they're so happy that everything looks great, and that Simone is happy and that I'm "just the kind of person" they were hoping to find! He asked if I pet-sat dogs, and I said I definitely did. Then he asked if he could give my name to other people, including his next door neighbor who has a dog. I said that he was more than welcome to, and he said that he would, then. Wow! I am thrilled!! The call ended with another thank you and a promise of a phone call should they go on any future trips. How happy am I? REALLY happy, that's how! I can't stop using exclamation points!!!

Seriously though, I am beaming. There are few greater feelings than being told you've done a great job. Awesome!

Another reason I'm glad he called is that I was falling asleep on the couch! I am completely wiped out, but I would rather go to sleep early than take a nap. If I nap, I'll likely be up half the night (not good, since I am getting up early in the morning!). Also, I could miss American Idol, and well, I can't let that happen!

I guess I'm so tired from not sleeping quite enough last night, followed by teaching rambunctious fifth graders. Hoo-boy, those kids can wear a person out! They were cool, though. They were fairly interested in what was going on and participated and everything. Very exciting, until the closing, in which another teacher, Sue, who was the leader of the day, asked the kids what they learned at each station. And even though we went over stuff a MILLION times, they said the wrong things! How could they have gotten the stuff I taught them so messed up?? I had them repeat back to me that ammonia is turned into nitrates by aerobic bacteria. Over and over! And they said the rocks in the biofilter are what filters the water. The ROCKS. Sue said, "The rocks or the bacteria on the rocks?" And they said both! NO! It's the bacteria!

[Taking a break to sigh deeply...]

Anyway, it made me crazy. I also had to talk loudly over the machines, and was a little hoarse at the end of the day. But you know, the kids had fun, they did learn something (though apparently not at my station), and we laughed a lot. So, all is well.

Afterwards, I made my last stop with Simone. She hissed at my pant leg as I walked by. Yesterday, she pounced on my shoe without warning. She is a scary cat, to tell you the truth. I don't know what to make of her! She hasn't hurt me, though. She just enjoys terrorizing me a little bit. I am guessing it's her weird mode of "play." Bobbi said only-cats are like that sometimes. Apparently, since they don't have other cats to play with, they will pounce on and hiss at their humans instead... Not at all aggressively. Just as a playful gesture. And since Bobbi is smart, I'm going with that theory. Simone is just a wacky only-cat who wants a playmate! And she chose my shoe. Aww...

When I got home, I was already exhausted. But I promised my cats I'd clean their litterbox, so I did. Not before spilling the litter when I tried to pour it, of course. Oh, well. Then I was struck with a moment of inspiration, and actually cleaned a good portion of my bathroom. I made room for my Laughter scented candle, and it looks great! I even burned it for a little bit. And now my bathroom is pretty, which makes me very happy.

But not as happy as Simone's human's rave review of my pet-sitting skills. That was awesome!

All in all, an excellent day. And more great things to come! Such as American Idol, Bernie Mac, and a glass of Bailey's Irish Creme. An excellent day, indeed!

~~Meg