The Story of the Cat

So about four weeks ago or so, our (indoor) cat Puff managed to get outside. We can't imagine how on EARTH that could have happened. (It just COULDN'T have been the unlatched storm door that got left open inadvertently...it just couldn't!) Needless to say, Kathleen was very upset, as was I. We'd had Puff for two years, and he had never even shown an interest in going outside. We looked everywhere for the poor fella...in the fields surrounding the house...down every side street. We posted "MISSING" signs in the neighborhood, and gave out our phone number to countless neighbors. Every evening if I was out driving around, I'd be scanning the corn fields for his silhouette. Nothing. He was gone.

After two and a half weeks of tear-filled "I miss Puff" and "Mommy, I NEED a kitty to cuddle with and sleep with," I broke down and called a friend of mine who volunteers for an animal rescue. She fosters cats, and then they get adopted from adoption clinics at Pet Smart. She proceeds to tell me about this sweet little one-year-old kitty that she had fostered after she had been spayed. She said she was a soft and cuddly, sweet-tempered little girl named Tess. AND she had long hair, which Kathleen just thought was GREAT! Yeah, GREAT! (Can you see me cringing?)

So we go to Pet Smart last weekend, and there's Tess, in all her grey and white tigery sweetness...sitting atop one of those cat tree things...like the queen of the roost. Kathleen immediately says "Awwwww!" without even knowing that SHE was the cat we were going to get!

So we came home with Tess...who really IS the cutest, sweetest girl ever! She's small and dainty, and has a girly little "meow." She and Kathleen played, and then off to bed they went, happy as two clams.

That night, 4:30am. Yes, I said 4:30am. "MeoOWWWW" from somewhere outside in the dark. Again: "MeeeoooowwwWWW" "Mmmrrrrowwww!" It was a cool night, so the windows were open. "Mmmmmrrrrooooooooowwww!" I'm thinking--you're KIDDING me, right? So I wake up Kathleen and we go outside and who is hiding under the car? That's right! The prodigal Puff! We both look at each other with surprise and happiness, and Kathleen grabs Puff and heads inside. Big happy family, right? Mmmm hmmmm. It's been a trip, lemme tell ya'. Puff can't believe that some little girl has come in and tried to steal his "momma's" heart...AND his place on her bed. Kathleen has been very good about sharing the love, but there are some interesting hisses and growls and "mmmmreoerrowooeewow" chasings going on...kind of like those sound effects in the movies--you know the ones I mean--the cat screetching, and things tumbling. But slowly but surely, things are improving. If they can't be friends, I'm thinking they will most certainly learn to tolerate each other. As long as Tess stays out of Puff's food. And off Kathleen's bed. ;)

Kathleen the Kayak Queen

I promised Kathleen-in-kayak pics, so I'll post them, even though I came home to a sticky kitchen floor tonight, and found the culprit to be said child. "I spilled some root beer, Momma. I tried to clean it up!" I'm wondering if she's heard of water, or a sponge--a mop, perhaps, or SOMEthing besides one square of paper towel?! Oy...long day today, and that was the icing on the cake. Kids.

I went to a Silpada party tonight. It's sort of a Tupperware-style jewelry party. They have some really pretty stuff, and I had all I could do to resist yet another silver ring. I'm saving up for an awesome pure silver sage leaf ring over at Etsy, so I just said "NO!" to the Silpada stuff. If you're looking to do shop-at-home party hosting for some extra cash (and free jewelry, from what I understand), check out the link. It's pretty stuff!

OK, here's a video of the champ cruising around that pool! She's a good little kayaker!

Angel Fire Agate Necklace

I just listed this really great necklace at Etsy. Stay tuned for pictures of Kathleen in a kayak...I'll post pics and a movie clip tomorrow.

http://fiddleheadstudios.etsy.com/

More pictures of the YMCA party

They couldn't have ordered up a more perfect day for the event.


The candlelight was gorgeous when the sun went down. Those candlesticks were on loan from another local who imports. Check out his website at http://www.anokhainc.com/ . He's got some VERY fun stuff. I believe it's wholesale only, but there should be some links to retailers there. If not, let me know if you're interested in something. I might be able to hook you up!



Carmine's on the left, working his magic.



Brigit Binns--she looks a little like Martha, doesn't she?
EDIT on 12/14/08: Ok, listen. I told Brigit I would remove my reference to Martha (even though she told me not to), but now that I've come to look at this picture again, I was SO not off base, was I? LOL! Brigit's hair is very different now, and when you meet her for real, she's really nothing like Martha. But let's get real, people! Look at that pic above! (Sorry, Brigit! Hee!)

Some folks enjoying the view of the Hudson, which is spectacular from Georgia's back yard.

YMCA Fundraiser

This past Sunday, I attended a YMCA fundraiser at my friend Georgia's house. The community wants to build a YMCA in Greene County, NY, and they need something like $5 million more bucks to pull it off. I told Georgia I didn't have any money, but that I'd be happy to take pictures, so that's what I did! Hopefully they'll be able to use them somehow. As of yet, they don't have a website for the Y.

It was a fun party. Carmine Sprio (reknowned local chef) was there to cook for us, as was Brigit Binns (cookbook writer extraordinaire). It was a good turnout, and a good opportunity for some community networking. I saw some folks that I've decorated for, and some blasts from the past who used to frequent the restaurant I waitressed at many moons ago. Geez, when I think about how long ago that was, it makes me cringe. I also passed my cards out to those who were interested in my jewelry.

Speaking of my jewelry, I've got about 8 more necklaces done. I need to get photos taken and get them listed!

Ok, now to try and figure out the whole picture-posting thing. It's been a while since I've posted anything to my blog. I really need to stay on top of it.