What's that old adage about curiosity and the cat?

Little Mr. Man found a new place to explore

my house is his playground and all the contents mere objects for his enjoyment

Somtimes it Takes a Second Listen

Maybe I was in a mood. Maybe the timing was off. Maybe I just wasn't listening, but the first time I heard Sufjan Stevens...I didn't like him. And every time someone mentioned his Songs for Christmas, my thought was "I don't get it - why do soooo many people love this guy? I mean really - come on!"

Well, I'm here today to admit I was wrong. Yes, I said it and I'll say it again. I was wrong!

Capital W, Capital R, Capital O, Capital N, Capital G!

What changed my mind? Besides yet another blogger writing about their favorite Christmas album? Amazon.com - it was front and center for Christmas related recommendations. I exclaimed to the Universe, "FINE! I GIVE UP! I'LL LISTEN AGAIN! IT'S OBVIOUSLY WHAT YOU WANT!"

So I listened to the brief intro's to each song...then I went to iTunes. I do enjoy his stlye and I liked enough of the songs to justify downloading the whole album.

So I guess sometimes it really does take a second listen.

And here's a little gratuitous cuteness: I often find them sleeping like this - Nym snuggled in close to Sadie, sometimes back to back, sometimes him curled into her belly. This morning he was purring like an engine and kneading her back paw and only occasionally would she wince at the needle sharp claws. She's so good with him.

Post Turkey Day

I was just thinking that I haven’t visited my favorite blogs in quite some time and thought that maybe today, during the down time, I would catch up…until I checked my Bloglines and found 310 blog posts unread! THREE HUNDRED AND TEN!

I didn’t realize that it had been almost a month since I really checked up on all of you, despite posting on my own blog. It just seems like so much has been happening at work and trying to get the homemade gifts done, that I’ve been neglecting everyone else’s blogs. I’m very sorry for that, but I have this sinking feeling that when my new job officially starts, I’ll be here less and less…

Note to self: make time for blog reading and writing

That being said and apologized for…things are good! Thanksgiving was nice, albeit hung-over, having spent the previous night with my brother and my cousin over-indulging at Schooner Landing in Damariscotta. The day after turkey day was spent lazily, eating leftovers and watching TV in the jammies, despite the plan to trek out to early morning Black Friday sales…yeah, as of 8:00 the night before, we knew that wasn’t happening!

I have partaken in Cyber Monday, though…but only on Amazon…and only because I HATE (yes, I know hate is a strong word, but it really applies here) holiday shopping. With shoppers and drivers, manners seem to be optional come the holiday season and respect has flown RIGHT out the window! I try to be pleasant and courteous, but I become the biggest grouch if I have to go shopping AT ALL from Thanksgiving to New Years, because people block isles with their carts or cut you off in parking lots or ride your ass on the road because they don’t feel you are going fast enough despite the fact that you’re driving 10 miles over the speed limit! Okay, just thinking about it is making me cranky…I’ll stop. Thankfully, I have only 4 more things to buy and shopping is done. I still have 3 quilts to finish, 2 headbandana’s to make and a bunch of baking to do, but that doesn’t require leaving the warmth of my fortress of solitude!

Being the purveyor of holiday cheer that I normally am this time of year (except when forced to go Christmas shopping), my tree went up on Saturday and the house decorating commenced.

The kitten (being new to this whole Christmas thing) looooves the tree – it’s great for hiding under and playing with…but mostly for hiding under, especially for those moments when the urge to jump out and attack a passerby strikes!

His evil 13 lb counterpart feels the same way, but she jumps out only to attack him (she knows better than to attack me!)

Well, I'm off to an office celebration at Deb's house! Have a lovely evening!

Adapting

Nym is adjusting nicely to his new home. Thank you Louise, Gracia, Shannon and Lisa for the well wishes and welcomes to him. Sadie and Tallulah are getting used to him, slowly but surely, though it's more slowly with Tal - she's really not impressed by him! Sadie loooooves him (except when he plays with her feet) and he loves her, especially at night when he can curl up next to her. It's so darn cute! Sadie gets a little jealous that the kitten gets so much attention and that she has to be "talked to" often because she forgets that he's only little and that she has giant yeti paws compared to him. I'm trying very hard not to let her and Tal feel left out or unappreciated, but it's difficult when they see me toting Nym around the house (I used to do the same with Tallulah...back when she didn't weigh 13 lbs), he's just so featherweight, it's easy to scoop him up.
He learned how to climb up and down the stairs yesterday, so now he has full roam of the house (which pleases him to no end). And after I created a makeshift stair up to the dishwasher, where the food dish is, this new climbing skill has come in quite handy! He likes to munch a little, get down, drink out of Sadie's water dish on the floor (despite there being a water dish right beside him), go play and then come back for a little more.
He's a total cuddle bug when he's sleepy, but when he's in a playful mood...watch out! He becomes "Psycho-Kitty". He's also a kitty contortionist when he sleeps; body twisted into the most unnatural of positions - it's hilarious! He's already aquiring nicknames, aside from Nym: Nymble, Nymby, Nyms and my personal favorite...Nymbecile for his sillier moments (like when he jumped at Tallulah's tail - not the smartest move).

He's one of the family now!

Mission: New Kitten...Complete

Well, here he is...

Introducing Nymbus (Nym for short)My fuzzy
playful
biting
cute
cuddly kitten
who likes to play with Sadies feet!


Day 1 and so far so good!

Mission: New Kitten...Day 2

As you know, yesterday I called about kittens...well, last night I got a call back! Tonight after work, Juli and I will be heading north to Waterville to check out two little long haired black male kittens. And if all goes well, I will be coming home with one of those little long haired black male kittens!

Now I just need think of some names - any suggestions?

Itty Bitty Kitty Update

**UPDATE**

Itty Bitty Kitty has gone bye bye. :^(

His owner came to claim him last night. It was sad to see that little bundle of cuteness go, but I had to.

When I called it a "him", his owner said "No, she's a girl"...I laughed and asked, "Are you sure?" - apparently they haven't taken it to the vet yet - the owner assured me that it was a girl. My my, are they in for a surprise! :^)

But this was a great thing to have happened. I've made the decision to get another kitty and I already have two phone numbers of people offering up free kittens!

Itty Bitty Kitty

Last night, my neighbors found a kitten. A little grey and black male tiger kitten with a jingle bell collar and a flea collar. Obviously, he belongs to someone. My neighbor's daughter went searching and we stood outside talking for an hour, but no one claimed him, no one could be heard calling for their little lost kitten. It was dark and well beyond dinner time, so we decided that I would take in this itty bitty bundle of cuteness and tomorrow (rather today), after work, we would make signs and resume the search.

I promised myself that I would not get attached. I've said for quite a while that, though I love kitties wholeheartedly and would like another cat, I have a wonderful and beautiful 8 year old grey tabby who has issues with sharing her domain with other felines (she only tolerates the dog - Sadie could be described as Tallulah's court jester). Well, I think I'm getting attached after only one night. I know, I know - this cat must belong to someone...but if they don't come looking...if no one claims him, I will.

He's so sweet, so lovable and litter box trained! He comes when you call to him; he curls up on your shoulder, purrs in ear and rubs his face against you with that little happy kitten smile. He stands his ground with the dog...he hisses and growls at Tallulah and she returns the favor, neither getting with in arms reach of one another. He has that little baby kitten meow and that kitty penchant for night time exploration (not a good thing for someone who gets up at 5:30 to start her day). By about 3 am, that damn jingle bell collar came off and kitty came to bed with me and Sadie. He was just so cute! He even tried his darndest to get into the bathtub when I took my shower this morning.

How could I not fall for this face?


His little face and his markings remind me of this fat cat when she was just a few months old
She always looks doped up in pictures...I really don't know why.

They look so much alike, she could be his mother!

If someone comes to claim him, I will of course give him back...but part of me hopes that no one claims him - is that bad? And even if someone claims him, maybe this is the Universe's way of telling me it's time to get another kitty. You see, I wasn't supposed to be home last night. Monday is the weekly dinner and t.v. night at Juli's house, but I begged off last night. I had some work to do and my house needed to be cleaned (still needs to be cleaned) and a bed to put back together before Mum and Dad come back up on Thursday...so I called Juli to say I wasn't coming out. I don't believe in coincidence - all things happen for a reason; I think my staying home last night was to be introduced to this sweet little thing and to come to the realization that it may be time for a new family member to be welcomed to Mount Vernon Street.

We'll see what happens; we'll make signs tonight. I've already put an add in the paper. We'll see...

sleepy puppies

Two of the cutest puppies in the whole world...

Sadie the Wonder Dog and the little Molly-wog
sleepy puppies after a hard day of playing - oh what a life!