The cats are definitely cheesed off about being locked out of the house while renovations are going on. Not that they have been turfed outdoors mind you, just out to their night time quarters which also doubles as my studio. They aren't impressed at this disruption to their otherwise serene existence, in fact neither am I at having to share my studio space with the cats during the day while I try to escape the din of drilling and hammering in the house. Not sure what's worse, listening to the wailing and complaining of Rueben as he loudly voices his persistent protest or the hammering. It's only been days, but it feels like weeks trying to maintain a normal routine when everything is anything but normal as our deck gets replaced, a new fireplace goes in, and finally new flooring and if we aren't divorced by then, maybe we can find the energy to face an external paint job as well. At least Fergus has given up trying to climb the glass door every time the carpenter drills timber in the carport beside the studio. Sasha stoically climbs into her bean bag in resignation and stays there most of the day, but by tea time she's had enough, growling and snarling at the others while she waits with growing annoyance for her dinner. And if all this disturbance to their life isn't bad enough, the carpenter brings his old dog with him. Thank god for glass doors otherwise blood would've been shed the first day when they eyeballed each other. As much as I love them all, our overseas trip can't come quick enough when I can leave all this behind me for a blessed month. Should I feel guilty ?