Friends, there’s so much goodness in my life that I don’t get to communicate here, and wish that I could. Every day, so many small moments, big questions. But this particular goodness, I’m very happy to be able to share.
The gist: a week or so ago, Abby, one of the Faithful Fools, got bedbugs. Not a fun enterprise. And though, to her enduring credit, she handled it like a champ, it’s still an enormous challenge for anyone to face — both logistically and emotionally.
So at a time like this, what do Fools do? Band together to completely clean out her entire studio apartment, carpeted with what looked like five years of cat hair. (From a very cute kitty, I might add.) Host her and said kitty while the place got fumigated. And then, tonight, throw a laundry party at her local coin-op, Amybelle’s Wash N Dry. How’s that for (unpaid) co-worker camaraderie?
Have a wonderful weekend, y’all. ‘Til next week!
Kloncke 
M’dear, I went to a panel the other day (I’m in DC for the Freedom Network conference, it’s a coalition of anti-trafficking and anti-slavery organizations/service providers; also visiting Jenna!!) called Mental Health: Broadening the Dialogue, which was all about various ways social services providers can contribute to mental health of their clients. And one of the people on the panel was a meditation teacher who recently started a program with current/former sex workers at an organization in NY. So long story short, I wanted to discuss with you! Maybe let’s talk sometime this week? xoxo
Love! I miss you. Hope you’re enjoying DC — and give Jenna a hug for me! Yes, phone date, stat: it’s been too long, anyway.
We now return to my regularly scheduled fantasies of a beach-bound road trip with you and Noa.
Wow, what awsome pictures! The bed situation was emotionally and physically draining to say the least. Realizing that I had to show someone the bites was a daunting task. I felt kind of ashamed and freaked out a little. But I knew I had to calm down and get help…..push my pride aside.
I was kind of horrified of the mess I had in my apt. and realized that all the dirt and cat hair was making me really sick. Now that I know, I will stay villigent in cleaning up said dirt and cat hair with my new lil cute vacuum.
I also noticed that I was more concerned with how my cat was reacted the effect that it had on me……Petrified, stifled, anxious, and confused.
But I knew I had to do the healthy and right thing for me and my cat the who place and its furniture had to be steamed and every thing moved to make sure that this does not happen again, and if it does, I can handle it. I can’t tell how reaching out really was the key……and the fools banded together and made my feel loved and cared for. Thanks Katie for your blog…..its wonderful.
Abbers, thanks for your adorable e-thankyou-card! (Totally your style — I laughed out loud.) And thank you so much for sharing your experiences here. It’s such a valuable reflection.
For a lot of us, I think, it takes a crisis to spark the realization that, like you say, reaching out is the key. I count myself lucky to be your friend and a member of your bedbug posse. Besides the pleasure of lending a hand, it gives me strength to know that the next time I’m in a pinch, my friends might actually enjoy helping me out! Especially if I can be as gracious and fun-spirited as you were about it.
And to think that this challenge is inspiring you to maintain a healthier home! Reminds me of this part of Rumi’s poem, The Guest House:
May your new, clean place offer you and Abby-cat many new delights. :)
See ya Monday, girl.