Updating the update, so to speak

Or rather, filling in a few blanks.
What I didn't mention in yesterday's post was work: there has been a slight improvement, or rather two.
1) Since our new minister came with a whole new department (integration) as his dowry, there's a bit of a space shortage at the ministry. So, they put my highly annoying, and now thankfully former, office mate next door together with her boss (who previously hadn't shared his office with anybody), and replaced her with an older guy from a different department. The advantages are manifold: a) he doesn't have a shrill voice, and doesn't conduct his private phone calls at the office, b) he's pretty quiet but freindly, i.e. occasional breif conversations and otherwise silence, and c) he works from 6.30 (no typo) to 14.30, which means no raised eyebrows if I leave early.
2) It's still only cut-and-paste, but I have been blessed with a bit more work.
All in all, I really can't complain anymore. Especially considering that my parents moving into my building is going to take a lot of preparatory work; also I'll probably be glad of the opportunity to have longer lunch breaks or leave early once they actually live there.

It was funny, really, how this whole moving thing started: since November (or was it October? Not sure.) I've been seeing my "old" therapist, i.e. the one I'd been going to before leaving for Ankara. What with coming back to Vienna, and work, and pretty much everything, seeing him again seemed like an excellent idea. (Privately of course -- I don't trust Public Health Care any more than my employer and would never get therapy on prescription) Among many other things, I became gradually aware that my father isn't really an issue anymore. I mean, I'm not overly keen to have him back in my life, but it's not a problem anymore.
And so, when I went to have coffee with my mum, we somehow talked about her oldest friend, who is the same age as her: she lives in a converted farmhouse, together with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Of whom there are many. My mother remarked, a little wistfully, that, while it's certainly not always harmonious, what with four generations under the same roof, it does have its perks. Slightly nonplussed, I asked whether that was something she'd like, living in close proximity, because if she wanted to, it would definitely be possible. It was as if a light had been switched on in her eyes. So I got the whole project going.

And, since I'm a slightly crazy cat lady (with only two cats now, but undiminished craziness), one word about the Lola business: I know I ought to feel a bit guilty for talking Irene into taking Lola, but I don't. She wanted a cat only once she retired (i.e. in slightly less than a year), and maybe she wouldn't even have got one then, but frankly, my being completely stressed-out was stronger than any friendly concern. What definitely helped was the fact that I was looking awful the day I finally broached the subject: the day before, I'd picked up Rambo to cuddle him, standing with my back turned, so I didn't see Lucius preparing to attack Lola. Rambo saw, though, panicked, and fled, scratching my face in the process. That may have helped... Then again, I am completely sure that Irene and Lola will be very happy together; without that certainty I wouldn't have foisted Lola on her.

Now I actually have some work to do, but there's still time to say this: if you're suffering from (pre-)menopause symptoms, especially hot flashes, try evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) oil. After about a month of taking it (once daily, in capsule form) my hot flashes have stopped completely.

Almost-postscript: SSHG promptfest? I'm still undecided...