Our favorite hobo, lounging on a cardboard box under some newspapers.
And so we're not playing favorites, here's the other baby, taken a while ago:
Showing posts with label Kittyboo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kittyboo. Show all posts
4.15.2008
Kitty Time
It's been a while since I posted pictures of this blog's namesake. Taken last night:
Our favorite hobo, lounging on a cardboard box under some newspapers.
And so we're not playing favorites, here's the other baby, taken a while ago:
Our favorite hobo, lounging on a cardboard box under some newspapers.
And so we're not playing favorites, here's the other baby, taken a while ago:
3.18.2007
Another weekend recap
Friday: Asian pear martini + mojito + honey wine! Not a bad way to start the weekend. Hung out with the Obi's again.
Saturday: Dinner with P and T; had a close encounter of the baby kind. T is 7 months along and we talked about everything from morning sickness to shape-shifting bellies to saying "heck" to the name game with the in-laws and naming the kid Zorton.
Sunday: Either I'm getting lazy, or I think pictures do a much better job than I can.
Phipps Conservatory
For years, it's been one of our favorite places to visit (and coincidentally, where we got married). They added a new tropical rainforest exhibit, which looks fab. Can't wait for the rest of the additions to be completed.
Thai spirit house in the rainforest exhibit
The rainforest exhibit
When we got home, we had fondue for dinner, then E curled up on the futon for some reading. Reading's a lot more fun with some company:
Saturday: Dinner with P and T; had a close encounter of the baby kind. T is 7 months along and we talked about everything from morning sickness to shape-shifting bellies to saying "heck" to the name game with the in-laws and naming the kid Zorton.
Sunday: Either I'm getting lazy, or I think pictures do a much better job than I can.
Phipps Conservatory
For years, it's been one of our favorite places to visit (and coincidentally, where we got married). They added a new tropical rainforest exhibit, which looks fab. Can't wait for the rest of the additions to be completed.
Thai spirit house in the rainforest exhibit
The rainforest exhibit
When we got home, we had fondue for dinner, then E curled up on the futon for some reading. Reading's a lot more fun with some company:
3.11.2007
Cats and Bags
How to Catch A Cat
E was gone most of the week for a conference. Before he left, he was distracted preparing for a 3-hr long workshop to promote his software, so it feels like he's been gone a week.
It was quiet in the house. I puttered around in the kitchen fixing gourmet meals for myself two of the days, watched TV, surfed the web, read in bed. For 4 days, I was sole guardian of the cats. When E's around, he'd feed them and scoop the litter, and I would play with them. Not that I couldn't do those things either... feeding was easy. 1 cup, 2 cats, twice a day. Once in a while I've to make sure Salty doesn't stick his nose in Pepper's chow.
In the mornings it gets a little tricky. P & S scratch, claw, jump, nibble, trample, and do pretty much anything to get our attention, in the name of breakfast. By 6.30am, E would give up and roll out of bed, with the patience of a saint, and lovingly dole out their kibbles before climbing back into bed. When I have to be up in less than an hour, it's harder to keep a good humor about it. To protect my beauty sleep in my kitty-feeding aide's absence, I decided to keep the whining brats in the office downstairs. I enjoy the fuzzy company when I read in bed at night, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.
The charming thing about a townhouse that predates even my grandparents' births is that over the years, the walls have warped ever so slightly that none, and I mean none, of the doors close the way they should. (Except the front door, of course.) It does wonderful things for our sense of privacy. At best, you can wedge a door shut by pulling it tightly against the frame, but the latch doesn't do anything. The problem is compounded by the fact that of the doors that close, the cats have figured out how to open them, and can sashay in and out wherever they please (imagine my near-heart attacks stepping out of the shower). All... except for the office door (dun dun dun!) So right before bed, for 3 evenings, I play hide-and-seek with the cats, trying to cajole/trick them into following me, the Pied Piper, so I can quarantine them behind the single closed door for the night.
Making a cat come to you isn't easy, and I don't feel good about resorting to trickery. Salty had to think it was playtime (his fuzzy toy with bells coyly slithers into the office...). Pepper had to think it was mealtime - I open the closet door where we keep the cat food, and instead of scooping up kitten chow, she gets scooped up (and lets out a confused "meow?") and tossed into the office. In the mornings, when I finally release them from 'prison', they meow frantically for breakfast and attention. I fill their bowls, and peace is restored.
E's back, much to the cats' relief - everything's back to normal. No more crazy woman trying to lock them up.
------------------------------------------------
I finally finished The Time Traveler's Wife. Amazing story, I gotta make E read it. At the third to last page, the floodgates opened and I started bawling. All of a sudden, I could feel Clare's emptiness and loss, I missed Henry deeply for her. I loved the ending, and I loved that when I finally put down the book, everything made sense despite the inherently illogical plot. Very satisfying read. Now I'm afraid I might not enjoy Love in The Time of Cholera as much - it may be written by a literary master, but it's got a bit to live up to.
------------------------------------------------
Bag-O-Rama
Went shopping with Liz on Saturday - my last girly hurrah before the hubby returned. We must've walked into more than a dozen stores. She's now well-equipped for the spring/summer, and I procured for myself not one, but two bags: a utilitarian Ann Taylor brown leather shoulder tote, and a cute petite black Coach satchel. A bag for all reasons and seasons! I've never been into bags until the last year; I'm slowly unleashing the inner bag diva and embracing the bag lady in me.
It's nice to have E home again. As much as I enjoyed having time alone, I did miss him. Now if you'll excuse me, we have some catching up to do.... >;)
E was gone most of the week for a conference. Before he left, he was distracted preparing for a 3-hr long workshop to promote his software, so it feels like he's been gone a week.
It was quiet in the house. I puttered around in the kitchen fixing gourmet meals for myself two of the days, watched TV, surfed the web, read in bed. For 4 days, I was sole guardian of the cats. When E's around, he'd feed them and scoop the litter, and I would play with them. Not that I couldn't do those things either... feeding was easy. 1 cup, 2 cats, twice a day. Once in a while I've to make sure Salty doesn't stick his nose in Pepper's chow.
In the mornings it gets a little tricky. P & S scratch, claw, jump, nibble, trample, and do pretty much anything to get our attention, in the name of breakfast. By 6.30am, E would give up and roll out of bed, with the patience of a saint, and lovingly dole out their kibbles before climbing back into bed. When I have to be up in less than an hour, it's harder to keep a good humor about it. To protect my beauty sleep in my kitty-feeding aide's absence, I decided to keep the whining brats in the office downstairs. I enjoy the fuzzy company when I read in bed at night, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.
The charming thing about a townhouse that predates even my grandparents' births is that over the years, the walls have warped ever so slightly that none, and I mean none, of the doors close the way they should. (Except the front door, of course.) It does wonderful things for our sense of privacy. At best, you can wedge a door shut by pulling it tightly against the frame, but the latch doesn't do anything. The problem is compounded by the fact that of the doors that close, the cats have figured out how to open them, and can sashay in and out wherever they please (imagine my near-heart attacks stepping out of the shower). All... except for the office door (dun dun dun!) So right before bed, for 3 evenings, I play hide-and-seek with the cats, trying to cajole/trick them into following me, the Pied Piper, so I can quarantine them behind the single closed door for the night.
Making a cat come to you isn't easy, and I don't feel good about resorting to trickery. Salty had to think it was playtime (his fuzzy toy with bells coyly slithers into the office...). Pepper had to think it was mealtime - I open the closet door where we keep the cat food, and instead of scooping up kitten chow, she gets scooped up (and lets out a confused "meow?") and tossed into the office. In the mornings, when I finally release them from 'prison', they meow frantically for breakfast and attention. I fill their bowls, and peace is restored.
E's back, much to the cats' relief - everything's back to normal. No more crazy woman trying to lock them up.
------------------------------------------------
I finally finished The Time Traveler's Wife. Amazing story, I gotta make E read it. At the third to last page, the floodgates opened and I started bawling. All of a sudden, I could feel Clare's emptiness and loss, I missed Henry deeply for her. I loved the ending, and I loved that when I finally put down the book, everything made sense despite the inherently illogical plot. Very satisfying read. Now I'm afraid I might not enjoy Love in The Time of Cholera as much - it may be written by a literary master, but it's got a bit to live up to.
------------------------------------------------
Bag-O-Rama
Went shopping with Liz on Saturday - my last girly hurrah before the hubby returned. We must've walked into more than a dozen stores. She's now well-equipped for the spring/summer, and I procured for myself not one, but two bags: a utilitarian Ann Taylor brown leather shoulder tote, and a cute petite black Coach satchel. A bag for all reasons and seasons! I've never been into bags until the last year; I'm slowly unleashing the inner bag diva and embracing the bag lady in me.
It's nice to have E home again. As much as I enjoyed having time alone, I did miss him. Now if you'll excuse me, we have some catching up to do.... >;)
2.10.2007
11.28.2006
10.09.2006
Salty
His brother Paco, the tuxedo one, couldn't let him go - Paco kept pawing him through the kitty carrier. His mother and the other white one, Corky, were taken a few days ago; Paco was all he had left, until now. It was a heartbreaking moment, but it was for the best. Off Paco went, while the little guy stood at the bottom of the stairs squeaking his little heart out. It was just him and Pepper.
------
4 days later, the little guy seems quite acclimated. He's gone through several names - Untitled, Tu Madre (Tengo Nada), Tomato... finally, we decided to name him Salty. Get it? Salt 'n Pepper. Their coats are color-appropriate too, so we couldn't resist.
Now, when I come home from work, I hear the pitter patter of 8 paws, and see 2 furry heads peeking from behind the door.
I think they're going to be great friends.
------
4 days later, the little guy seems quite acclimated. He's gone through several names - Untitled, Tu Madre (Tengo Nada), Tomato... finally, we decided to name him Salty. Get it? Salt 'n Pepper. Their coats are color-appropriate too, so we couldn't resist.
Now, when I come home from work, I hear the pitter patter of 8 paws, and see 2 furry heads peeking from behind the door.
I think they're going to be great friends.
9.18.2006
Everyday Decisions
Corky and Tu Madre
We knew it was going to come to this: we have to decide if we want a second kitty. Pepper rubbed noses with Tu Madre, which I take to be a good sign. Two cats means one each for us to cuddle with on the couch. Pepper is pretty, Tu Madre is friendly. We have the means to take care of Tu Madre. Pepper might like a friend. But should we? E has been agonizing over this all weekend. (To be continued.)
-------------------------
Got a new phone - a sleek candy-bar Nokia. Dare I admit, it's also my first camera phone. Didn't need an upgrade for over 2 years, when my old trusty phone worked just fine (until I flung it down a flight of concrete steps). After envying the cool kids for so long, I'm finally catching up. To be fair, E got a new RAZR*, the object of his lust for some time.
*On a semi-related note, can you believe that the RAZR has become so iconical of this generation, a benchmark of today's technology and pop culture, that it's immortalized as a token in the new Monopoly? So have the Toyota Prius, and New Balance shoes... Corporate branding at its best.
I've been playing with the FM radio and camera. Practically like a neanderthal fascinated by fire. I hate to be a clueless twenty-something; I've a lot of catching up to do.
-------------------------
3 weeks and counting, still going strong. Spiffy's got well over a hundred miles on 'er now. 1 hour on the trainer everyday (medium-high resistance), 20 miles downtown and back on weekends. I can see and feel a difference; my goal is to eventually be strong enough to do a century ride. Won't be hopping on the triathlon bandwagon any time soon - not much of a runner, and I'm happy just treading in water. Still, this pedaling addiction feels pretty good and I'm feeling a growing sense of accomplishment.
--------------------------
This vid speaks to me. Aug 30th installment of the mrbrown show - of all people, I found out about it through Lee, my Taiwanese Singapore-schooled American-bred friend. I can relate on so many levels. (The episode with Hossan Leong is pretty funny too... wildly appropriate choice of song.)
7.02.2006
Kibbles 'n bits of randomness
I love warm summer nights. Sitting in bed with my laptop, the A/C humming, jazz playing, hubby typing away on his laptop...
* Been hooked on Firefly lately. Borrowed the DVD set from a friend, and we've been pacing ourselves with the episodes - only 2 or 3 a night, save the rest for the next day. We're down to the last 4 episodes now... sad. It's hard to understand why it only had one season - I mean, look at Stargate SG-1. Corny, plots are predictably about mind control or alternate dimensions, yet it's going on its 10th freakin' season. Firefly is so cool; the cast is great, the script is clever, the plots are fairly original, fun to watch, and I get a kick out of the random Chinese mutterings. Why no Firefly? :(
* E was on a business trip to VA, and as usual, his boss flew them in that little puddle-jumper of his. I've always been skeptical and a little disapproving (it's so small! looks unsafe). What's wrong with taking a commercial flight, like everybody else?
I arrived early when I went to the county airport to pick E up. Wandered around the parking lot, which was separated from the tarmac only by a low fence. The sun was setting, there was a gentle breeze, and the horizon was so... uncluttered. There were little planes parked nearby, but my view was mostly sky. Standing there, I felt so small, and it was such an amazingly refreshing and tranquil feeling. I would spot a light in a distance, and a few minutes later, a little jet would touch down gracefully on the runway. The powerful roar of the engine and the smell of jet fuel with that peaceful backdrop left quite an impression; no glass panes between me and the planes, like at big airports... just the sky, mini servings of brilliant engineering, and me. So damn cool.
Now, I guess I don't mind it as much when E flies on his boss' plane. And I totally understand why girls dig pilots.
* We bought a futon today! Finally. It's been a long time coming, and we're sick of patching up the sad, old, second-hand, cheap Ikea couch that's broken in 10 different places, with metal braces to hold it together. The metal braces look like bandaids. We've been hemming and hawing about getting a futon for months, and at last, even though we had no intention of buying or even hauling it back today, we did it. As we carried the 130 lb mattress to the car, people at al fresco cafes stared on like we'd just returned from a fishing expedition with a baby whale. The mattress and frame took a little brain-wracking (and sheer brute force) to stuff in the modest car. Afterwards, we celebrated with a little Italian ice from a place down the street. While we were getting gelati, I can't believe I actually worried that somebody would break in and grab the futon from the car, which was a block away, in broad daylight.
E: "I don't know who would be masochistic enough to steal a futon. I mean, he can't get very far... just look for the guy with a mattress on his back, hobbling down the street."
Ha! Picture that. And our futon was indeed safe.
* Not that this is news, but I love Pepper.
Furry ball of mischief and infinite cuteness
Baby and me
We recently put her on a weight management diet cos she's getting puffy. Still shedding like crazy. Since we came back from S'pore, even though she was in a friend's care, she would purr like a motorboat every time we came near her. It makes me fuzzy knowing that she missed us.
* Been hooked on Firefly lately. Borrowed the DVD set from a friend, and we've been pacing ourselves with the episodes - only 2 or 3 a night, save the rest for the next day. We're down to the last 4 episodes now... sad. It's hard to understand why it only had one season - I mean, look at Stargate SG-1. Corny, plots are predictably about mind control or alternate dimensions, yet it's going on its 10th freakin' season. Firefly is so cool; the cast is great, the script is clever, the plots are fairly original, fun to watch, and I get a kick out of the random Chinese mutterings. Why no Firefly? :(
* E was on a business trip to VA, and as usual, his boss flew them in that little puddle-jumper of his. I've always been skeptical and a little disapproving (it's so small! looks unsafe). What's wrong with taking a commercial flight, like everybody else?
I arrived early when I went to the county airport to pick E up. Wandered around the parking lot, which was separated from the tarmac only by a low fence. The sun was setting, there was a gentle breeze, and the horizon was so... uncluttered. There were little planes parked nearby, but my view was mostly sky. Standing there, I felt so small, and it was such an amazingly refreshing and tranquil feeling. I would spot a light in a distance, and a few minutes later, a little jet would touch down gracefully on the runway. The powerful roar of the engine and the smell of jet fuel with that peaceful backdrop left quite an impression; no glass panes between me and the planes, like at big airports... just the sky, mini servings of brilliant engineering, and me. So damn cool.
Now, I guess I don't mind it as much when E flies on his boss' plane. And I totally understand why girls dig pilots.
* We bought a futon today! Finally. It's been a long time coming, and we're sick of patching up the sad, old, second-hand, cheap Ikea couch that's broken in 10 different places, with metal braces to hold it together. The metal braces look like bandaids. We've been hemming and hawing about getting a futon for months, and at last, even though we had no intention of buying or even hauling it back today, we did it. As we carried the 130 lb mattress to the car, people at al fresco cafes stared on like we'd just returned from a fishing expedition with a baby whale. The mattress and frame took a little brain-wracking (and sheer brute force) to stuff in the modest car. Afterwards, we celebrated with a little Italian ice from a place down the street. While we were getting gelati, I can't believe I actually worried that somebody would break in and grab the futon from the car, which was a block away, in broad daylight.
E: "I don't know who would be masochistic enough to steal a futon. I mean, he can't get very far... just look for the guy with a mattress on his back, hobbling down the street."
Ha! Picture that. And our futon was indeed safe.
* Not that this is news, but I love Pepper.
Furry ball of mischief and infinite cuteness
Baby and me
We recently put her on a weight management diet cos she's getting puffy. Still shedding like crazy. Since we came back from S'pore, even though she was in a friend's care, she would purr like a motorboat every time we came near her. It makes me fuzzy knowing that she missed us.
3.09.2006
Of spring and stray cats
Spring weather has an early arrival - this afternoon felt like a cool summer day, it smelled delicious and I could only think of swimsuits and picnics. Flu season, on the other hand, came late - half the people around me are wheezing and hacking, absolutely miserable. Of course, not long ago I was one of them and there's no saying I won't join them again, but for now I'm glad to be up and about with a clear head. (Never underestimate the simple pleasure of being able to taste your dinner...)
Yesterday, after spending many hours and a small fortune at the laundromat, E and I were about to lug our six loads of laundry up to the apartment when I heard a wee little mewing in a distance. It came from down the street, and under the amber streetlights, I saw a little shadow scuttling down the sidewalk towards us, mewing urgently the whole way. E set down his load and walked up to pet the creature, heck with rabies and all. It had just been raining so it was kinda nippy; poor little kitty was cold and confused. Little baby must've been no older than 5 months, it had a short white coat with patches of brown and black. Desperate-looking eyes. It didn't have a collar; it was too well-groomed to be a stray, but kinda scrawny for a domestic cat. We decided we should at least carry our stuff inside first, and kitty kept following us, all the way up the stairs. Our own princess kitty was waiting for us at the foot of the steps, and she knows there's another kitty outside - good thing for the two doors between them. Pepper was restless and at attention, her tail was bushy and pointed straight up like a radar. E stayed a while to soothe her, but he kept thinking about the other cat. (Sigh, men.) So I held Pepper while E stepped outside to 'work on the lost kitty', who had been mewing at the door the whole time.
Through the glass, I could see E perched over, looking genuinely concerned, trying to figure out what to do with the cat that couldn't stop mewing at him. He came up with an idea to feed the lost kitty with the fancy cat food and sippy milk we got for Pepper. Zipping in and out with bowls of chicken livers and warm milk, E was like a busy OR tech. Pepper watched on. It was quite something to watch; E, my super alpha male, all mushy and soft for a cold, lost kitten, crouched over like a little boy.
Bringing the other cat in was a bad idea, so with a heavy heart, E left it on the porch (with food and milk) while he came back inside. I wondered if Pepper had any concept of cheating and feline polygamy, but she seemed to have forgotten by the end of the night.
Hope the kitty is okay! Wonder if we'll see it again...
Yesterday, after spending many hours and a small fortune at the laundromat, E and I were about to lug our six loads of laundry up to the apartment when I heard a wee little mewing in a distance. It came from down the street, and under the amber streetlights, I saw a little shadow scuttling down the sidewalk towards us, mewing urgently the whole way. E set down his load and walked up to pet the creature, heck with rabies and all. It had just been raining so it was kinda nippy; poor little kitty was cold and confused. Little baby must've been no older than 5 months, it had a short white coat with patches of brown and black. Desperate-looking eyes. It didn't have a collar; it was too well-groomed to be a stray, but kinda scrawny for a domestic cat. We decided we should at least carry our stuff inside first, and kitty kept following us, all the way up the stairs. Our own princess kitty was waiting for us at the foot of the steps, and she knows there's another kitty outside - good thing for the two doors between them. Pepper was restless and at attention, her tail was bushy and pointed straight up like a radar. E stayed a while to soothe her, but he kept thinking about the other cat. (Sigh, men.) So I held Pepper while E stepped outside to 'work on the lost kitty', who had been mewing at the door the whole time.
Through the glass, I could see E perched over, looking genuinely concerned, trying to figure out what to do with the cat that couldn't stop mewing at him. He came up with an idea to feed the lost kitty with the fancy cat food and sippy milk we got for Pepper. Zipping in and out with bowls of chicken livers and warm milk, E was like a busy OR tech. Pepper watched on. It was quite something to watch; E, my super alpha male, all mushy and soft for a cold, lost kitten, crouched over like a little boy.
Bringing the other cat in was a bad idea, so with a heavy heart, E left it on the porch (with food and milk) while he came back inside. I wondered if Pepper had any concept of cheating and feline polygamy, but she seemed to have forgotten by the end of the night.
Hope the kitty is okay! Wonder if we'll see it again...
3.01.2006
11.19.2005
11.14.2005
Goodbye old, hello new
Side-by-side comparison of a kittified toy and a brand new toy
Y'know that PetSmart TV ad with the dachshund and Bobo? Well, this is kitty's Bobo. She takes the orange mitt with her everywhere, on every escapade, even into her transmogrifier (the bread machine box). Sometimes she stuffs it in my purse. She goes to sleep with it. Her favorite random activity is clutching it in her mouth, sprinting down the hallway and leaping spread-eagle into a pile of bags in the kitchen.
And like Bobo, there comes a time when enough is enough. Christmas isn't soon enough to replace it, at the rate she's going. So today, we ceremoniously tossed it into the trashbin, when she wasn't looking. We'll wait a few days before bringing out the new one - she'll be so excited she won't know the difference.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
