Powder's Ghost Isn't Totally Worthless

It has been nearly a year since Powder disappeared into thin air, but don't you worry, he still haunts me. I spent a solid twenty minutes trying to figure out a way to get all of his fur off of a Christmas tree skirt the other day, only to end up throwing it in the washer.

Never throw a Christmas tree skirt in the washer. I mean, do it if you like glitter all over your entire house, but otherwise, DON'T.

(Thanks, Powder. You jerk.)

When at last I returned to the big Christmas tree and started to decorate it, Powder's ghost returned again. This time, however, it came in the form of Kiara.

She has been living under the trees, making it her mission to steal every ornament possible, and generally reminding me that kittens have a great time just enjoying their first Christmas.

There's nothing that Kiara enjoys more than playing with bead garland, or so I discovered. I discovered it as Alexis and I were attempting to circle the tree a dozen times. Around we would go and CRASH BOOM YANK would go Kiara as she ripped it right back off the tree. Kiara yanked and she pulled and she thought bead garland was the most amazing thing she had ever seen.

Just like Powder did every year for his entire life. A little over a year ago, his 17-year old butt was the one chasing the beads like a crazed lunatic.

But it didn't end there. OF COURSE NOT. Once Alexis and I finally won the battle of the bead garland, it was time for the ribbon garland and HOOBOY, I THOUGHT THAT KITTEN LIKED BEADS. I was wrong. Ribbon is her one true love.

As I pondered how the whole thing was all very Powder-like, Alexis continued to get annoyed. Her annoyance escalated to the point that she started yelling at Kiara to "Go away!" and "No!" and "Leave that alone!" and on and on.

After about the 400th time Alexis fussed at the kitten who CLEARLY didn't care what words were directed her way, I finally stopped Alexis. "Girlfriend, there is no point in yelling at Kiara. You have to pick your battles and you definitely aren't going to win this one."

Alexis asked me to clarify what I meant by "pick your battles," so I did. Alexis pondered my answer for a minute or two. Then she turned to me and deadpanned, "Momma, is that why you don't yell at me to wear a coat anymore? You're picking your battles?"

"Yes, yes Alexis. The only person you are hurting is yourself, so I stopped fighting with you about it."

"Ooooooh!" she replied. She turned back to Kiara and offered to let her play with a piece of ribbon.

Here's to hoping the lesson of battle picking will stick with Alexis. And here's to hoping Powder is finally done haunting me.

Comments

[KyFireWife]

Excellent lesson. Picking your battles.

Also - I can't believe you still have no idea where Powder is. That is so weird. Reincarnated as Kiara maybe?