Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

This is my shower.  Take a look at the top left corner.  My newest purchase from Bed Bath and Beyond is a waterproof clock. My addiction continues. I feel, what I imagine a hoarder feels when they find VHS tapes on clearance at Big Lots:  Pure Joy.   


Favourite of the Day: This, obviously.

Spontaniety and Adventures

One random Monday night, I walked into my friend Matt's bedroom well after midnight with an odd suggestion.  "Want to go on an adventure?" I asked.  Without hesitation he said sure.  Surprised at his quick response, I questioned him.  "Don't you want to know what it is?"  Nope.  He said he didn't care what it was - he'd join in.  And he did. 

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A few years ago I went to Vegas with 3 of my friends.  One afternoon while walking around we found ourselves in an ice bar called "Minus 5".  While there, we noticed a guy close to our age having a drink. He was alone.  We thought it seemed like he didn't want to be alone.  I went over and asked him if he wanted to hang out with us.  "Sure" he replied, also without hesitation.  His name was Jim (well, it still is). He was there for a work conference and was going to be spending that day alone.  The five of us spent the day walking around the strip and later went out for dinner together.  It was a really fun day.

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Today I was reflecting on both experiences.  I love that both Jim and Matt didn't stop to ponder if they wanted to participate.  They just did - no questions asked.  Jim didn't even know us.  Granted, we didn't know him either.  But your gut just steers you in the right direction sometimes. (For those who will be negative nelly and say it's dangerous and 'crazy' to engage strangers - shut it.  I know that. Obviously.  But your conscience just knows better, I think. Also, I guarantee I have more fun than you.)

Sometimes you can't plan for things.  Things that are spontaneous can lead you to new things, new experiences and new people.  Having an open mind and an open agenda are required and often rewarding.  I like where life takes you when you're ready for it.  This is my personal reminder to be ready and willing to things that may come my way. 

Puck You, Cancer

Relay for Life is tonight. I am proud of my friends/teammates for raising an incredible $7670.00 (and counting) for the Canadian Cancer Society.  We are currently in the lead for the top fundraising team.  A shout-out to my friend Claudia for the highest individual fundraising efforts as well. $4500 is kick ass and you are awesome. 

 

The photo above is from an event I put on back in May, titled "Puck You, Cancer"  A way to raise money for a cause while doing something fun. Second year and another successful turn out.  We will hit the ice again next May. 

Thank you to everyone for your donations. 

Go Team Roadhouse!!

Today's Random Thoughts

• There is a kitten sleeping on my lap.  I can't get enough of this little peach.  She is so sleepy all the time and she loves to be snuggled. Yesterday I counted how many cats I've fostered.  This is #16.  Am I a crazy cat lady if I don't keep any of them?  People ask how I give them back but knowing I can provide a good home for new moms and their babies makes it easy. If I keep any, I can't do that anymore. I also love naming them.  I bought a 'Baby Name' book at a garage sale for $0.25 for the sole purpose of naming cats.  If having 16 cats doesn't make me crazy - that might. 

• Why are nude bras invisible through white shirts but white bras aren't? 

• At what point in my life will I stop watching Seinfeld episodes?

• I want to be comfortable wearing a swim cap at the pool.  I'm not there yet.  Yesterday this cute old lady was wearing a shower cap in the pool.  That made me laugh.  And think she was awesome. 

• I think I have Misophonia.  Me and Kelly Ripa.  For real.  Google it.  Gum chomping and mouth smacking makes my insides cringe. 

• I just read THIS ARTICLE about a small community in Texas who is standing behind a local man accused of murdering a man he caught abusing his daughter.  Most often these days, the news makes me sad.  Not today.  

• I have developed an irrational fear of bears.  A few weeks ago I saw one on the golf course and since then, have been dreaming about them.  They are taunting me in my sleep.  The frequent local bear sightings are increasing my anxiety.  They are no longer hanging out in the forest.  They are partying in suburbia now. Geez. I golfed again tonight and the sign posted at the clubhouse certainly didn't ease my worry.  There was a lady golfing one hole ahead of me wearing a black shirt and black pants.  I thought she was a bear about 6 times.  I'm an idiot.

Favourite of the Day:  I finally got my hands on baby Adellina.  Can you move home Emmilia?

Correction....

Friday night Emmilia sent me a text that said "I hate to break it to you, but you're 32 years old.  If I am turning 33, you're not 31."  That made me laugh.  When I wrote that on here I really did think I was 31.  I didn't even hesitate writing it.  The following day I was sitting in church watching friends of mine get married.  Out of nowhere a thought popped in my head.  I wondered - Am I 31? Could I be 32?  I whispered to my friend Shawn beside me and asked him if he knew.  He gave me a look that said "How the F am I supposed to know" and turned his attention back to the front.  I spent most of the ceremony thinking about it (sorry Mike and Eden).  Eventually, my stellar math skills told me that yes indeed, I am 32.

I spent so much time freaking out about turning 30 only to find that shortly after I can't even remember my age.  I wonder if, from this point forward, all the years blend together and age really is just a number? That works for me. Hope it will work for Neil too. 


Favourite of The Day:  Today is the official day Emmilia turns 33!! (Sorry to publicly announce your age, but I assume you're okay with it.).  Enjoy spending your 33rd year at home with your sweet Adellina.  I can't wait to see you both.  Her little cheeks are calling out my name. Happy Birthday my friend.  xoxo

TGIAND

"TGIF" isn't a new term.  But as of late I've become a lot more conscious of it and its popularity.  People are frequently on this countdown waiting for the glorious weekend.  This leads me to ponder a few things.

Are people flying to Hollywood on private jets to attend red carpet events with Brad and Angelina?   Am I missing out on something?  My weekends aren't that exciting these days.  I am fine with that, to be honest.   Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy my days off and I enjoy my downtime. But not to the point where my week days are dreadful.  I hope if I get to the point where I do feel that way I will recognize that I may need to change something in my life.

I may only feel this way now considering I've only recently begun the standard work week of Monday - Friday.  Years of shift work never gave me the standard 'weekends'.  Maybe a few more years of '9-5 ing' will leave me jaded. Regardless, I still want to make the best of every day. 

To be fair, sometimes I think people use the whole TGIF countdown as conversation fillers.  In the spirit of optimism, maybe just announce the weather instead. Some of us may live in cellars and need to know it's raining anyway.   

There are 365 days in a year.  Saturdays and Sundays only make up for 28% of the year.  To quote my Oprah, we need to live our best life.  Which to me means making the most of the remaining 72%. Today is a Monday.  And I say TGIAND.

Thank Goodness it's a new Day.

We'll go Dutch.

Yesterday Neil Pasricha entered the final post on  1000 Awesome Things.  Way back in June of 2009 I alerted everyone to this amazing website, so I hope this isn't news to anyone.   You've all been reading his daily posts right? 

I love Neil. He helped us be conscious of noticing and appreciating the small things that happen day to day.  Remembering the happy things from the past and reflecting on the good.  You simply can't have enough of that in your life.   It took him over 4 years.  Waking up every single day and making sure you find the good is a challenge not all of us could tackle.  

There was some anticipation leading up the final awesome thing.   The final words he left us all with is this: "Anything You Want It To Be".  Genius move, Neil.  Genius.  An open invite for us all to find it ourselves.  

I am going to challenge myself to find it as often as I can.  Here is one I will start with today:

Beating the car in the lane beside you in the bridge line-up.  Awesome!!

Also - just going to throw this out there.  Neil - If you happen to google your name (who doesn't do that) and you find this page - -  I read you're a 32 year old in Toronto.  Interesting.  I happen to be 31.  While I certainly don't believe chivalry is dead, I am also a modern day girl.  If you would like to go out on a date with me, I will gladly meet you half way.  ;) 

Favourite of the Day:  Mike and Eden are getting married tomorrow!!  My awesome long time friend marrying my awesome new friend.   Perfect.  

The Kittens

As I sit on my couch right now kittens dash across my feet stopping only to bite my toes and chase each others tails. Though I had very little to do with it, I feel like a proud mama watching them run and climb. Just six weeks ago I picked them up from the shelter at only 3 days old. They had fit in the palm of my hand with their eyes and ears closed. They didn't walk for the first two weeks. As time moved on, they slowly opened their eyes, their ears popped up and they took their first wobbly steps. There are four of these sweet babies whom I love.

I have their mama too, who has fascinated me with her nurturing nature. A mother's instinct is an incredible thing. In the first few weeks she often 'hid' all her babies and I quickly learned she wanted to keep them in a small confined place. They lived in the corner of my bedroom closet for the first while. If I had company over and we wanted to cuddle her babies, she was fine with it if we stayed near home base. As soon as we took them out of the room, she promptly followed, picked up her baby by the scruff of the neck and whisked them away. She cleaned and fed them constantly and though she loved to cuddle with me in bed, she always kept her visits short and returned to her babies.

Now the kittens are eating solid food and using the litter box on their own. I love it that they are now able to run around my house and play, their little personalities coming through loud and clear. They are very independent and the mama spends much more time with me, which has been helpful in getting them weaned. I have them for about 10 more days and they will be ready for adoption. I will be very sad to see them go but I feel confident other people will fall in love and welcome them into their families.

Here are some pictures and a video. When I named them, I had a 50% chance of guessing their sex correctly. Good thing I'm not a gambler. No one needs to know which one of my sweet princesses grew a set of balls.

Daphne - 3 days old

Delilah - 3 days old

Delilah - She is an observer. She likes to sit quietly and watch the others play. She is gentle and curious.

Digits - He has 7 toes on each front paw. He's the alpha male. The first to do everything and he's a rascal. Also the first to hit the big 1 lb!

Digits and Mama, having a nap.

Dixon - Terrible to say, but he's my least favourite. He's a whiny suck. He doesn't like being held and the scratches all over my hands prove this. He started out all black, but is evolving into something new. He has a white tip on his tail and one white foot. I think his fur may continue to change.

Daphne - She is my favourite by a landslide. She loves to cuddle and she has a gentle nature. Every morning I walk in their room to say good morning and she's the first to run to me.

This is when they were taking their first steps. It's so funny to see this now, as I watch them zoom past me and climb stairs. I tried to get a video of that for comparison but the little buggers are just too fast!

Favourite of the Day: Feeling like I'm getting caught up. On sleep, on laundry, on life in general. It feels good.

Randomness

(1) Did you guys know how amazing beets are? Not sure why it took me 32 years to discover that. They are not only delicious but they are beautiful too. Such a bright vibrant colour.

(2) I wonder if there is one person out there who's job it is to design the "Google" logo every day. I love how they are always thought-provoking, artistic or just plain clever. I appreciate imagination and creativity.

(3) On Sunday night I drove away from the gas pump with the nozzle still in my car. I was embarrassed when it happened but afterward I thought it was hilarious. I told my friend this yesterday and he said "Oh, Sara - you should keep that one to yourself." HA HA HA. He doesn't know me very well.

Not My Proudest of Moments

You know how when you go to wedding/baby showers you sometimes fill out an envelope with your mailing address on it and then they use it to mail you a Thank You card?

When I pull that envelope out of my mail box there is a SPLIT second where my brain thinks "Wow - whoever wrote that has the exact same handwriting as me."

Then I feel incredibly thankful no one was witness to such stupidity. Kind of like when you dream you are falling and you jerk yourself awake and then hope no one saw it happen? That.

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