Is it spring?

Today was a beautiful day in Minnesota (some say Minni"snow"ta) with the temps nearly hitting 70 degrees! So how did my family spend it?...not riding bike (saw lots of kids out!) not going for a fun walk in our teeshirts (saw that too) but we went downhill skiing! It was fun but tricky when we had to avoid the water spots. DH said it was like mashed potatoes, and DS tried snowboarding for the first time and exclaimed the snow felt like sand paper - maybe because the snow was more like ice-crystals than soft fluffy flakes! In all it was a fantastic day and I even removed my ski goggles so I wouldn't have a raccoon type of tan on my face!

Valentine Treat bags

Tomorrow's surprise for my three kids. I had fun using my Cuttlebug and Cricut making quick toppers for the treat bags. Happy Valentine's Day!

Invites

My daughter and I just spent some wonderful time together talking and laughing while making birthday invitations. We wanted something clean and a bit formal because DD wants a cocktail party (minus the alcohol - she'll only be 18 yrs. old) We were discussing some birthday etiquette and decided to look on the web for answers. Of course while I am on the internet I can't resist looking at some crafty things. I found a website that gives away a free SVG file on Mondays. I hurried over to see if today's was something I would like and - bonus - they are offering a cuttlebug giveaway. Check it out here.

This is Willow at 8 weeks old, we have only had her for two days on Nov. 28, 2009

New Kitten

I should probably share that we did adopt a new kitten, the day before Thanksgiving. She was so small when she chose us (one of the kids was along for the night and said that the kitten looked at him with these eyes that pulled him in) and is growing so fast! Willow is our newest family member and boy is she a social being. I am glad her temperament is so different from Onyx but she shows all the signs of being a good mouser. It is rare to be in the house without Willow demanding some type of acknowledgment! It's a good thing there are five of us to give her attention!

moving on

It is amazing how many people feel for you when sharing the loss of a pet. I even received a wonderful gift from the big boss, thanking me for all the hard work I do for school (it was the book Bad Kitty by Nick Bruel because the illustration of the cat reminded me of my furry friend). Of course I cried when I found the gift at my desk as it was from one cat lover to another.
I have been searching my digital pictures for ones of Onyx(I have lots as he was such a funny kitty) so I can make a few scrapbook pages. I was up late one night and saw a mouse scurry across the floor. Okay, here is the first reason we got a cat - mice! I am ready to get another living breathing affectionate mouse trap. don't get me wrong, we all miss Onyx and know he was a special kitty but he had a job, and it was to convert mice to poop. Now the family will begin the journey of finding the perfect "mouse converter".
To help me keep my mind off of cats and kittens I have been checking my favorite crafty blogs. Happy day! There is a blog hop going on and I have been looking at all the wonderful "festival of lights" projects for the cuttlebug blog hop. I think I just might make some fun embossed name place tags for Thanksgiving, that is if I can find the time to complete 23 place cards and clean the house and prep a fancy dinner and check black Friday ads - I just love Thanksgiving and the gathering of family! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

sadness

I have learned you can not confine a cat. After several weeks of trying to heal a cat, we decided the suffering has been enough. Our furry friend just hated being confined, weather it was a "kennel" or a room. He would bang himself up trying to get out and his broken leg became a compound fracture. It was destined to become infected (can a cat use a litter box without all four legs?!). Before things were awful we decided to euthanize our beloved pet. Everyone in the house "bucked up" and gave lots of attention to our furry comrade but still in the end we all bawled like babies. Onyx was such a good companion, never clawed the furniture, always quick with a purr and an hug (as well as demand for food!) and kept the mice out of the kitchen. Several days later after the fateful good-bye we still miss him and look to get a furry purr at the end of the day. sigh. We are constantly remembering when Onyx did this or that but I know my adult (and almost adult) children really cared when they provided Onyx with the meal of all kitty meals on his last night - shrimp. Farewell Onyx, we will always hold a special place in our memory of you.