It's a Snow Day!!!

YAY!!! It's snowing...we hardly ever get snow here. It can snow all around us but we won't get any...maybe a dusting that lasts a few hours and then it turns to mush. We get freezing rain. YUK!!

So today, I'm watching those big beautiful flakes fall lazily from the sky and slowly leave a lovely blanket across my lawn and pasture. I laugh at my outdoor kitties try to adventure through it and then turn around after about five feet and say "forget it."

I think Skippy got caught in "her wood pile" during the heavy snow because during a small break she came hopping (she hops like a rabbit due to her only having three limbs) lickity split to her warm porch...and then had the nerve to glare at us like it was our fault the sky was falling. :o) I did bundle up in warm clothes and boots and take a walk so I could take these pictures and some others. Right before coming inside, I flopped myself onto the ground and made a snow angel....that picture didn't turn out very good...you can't really see the snow angel...darn.

I'm off to enjoy the snow while it lasts...it could be gone in a flash...gotta savor the moment while it's here.

Happy Snow Day!!!

Sweet Surrender

This is my sweet boy, Surrender. He is a feral cat that has lived in the pastures that surround my house for what I've been told at least 11+ years now...so we know he's at least that old. When I first moved here 4 years ago, he would sneak food from our outside cat when he thought we weren't looking and if he saw us would run like the wind. Slowly over many many months he would come closer and not run away. A couple years ago another feral cat showed up...female...you can see Skippy and her second litter of babies in my earlier posts...she gives me grey hair. Skippy and Surrender had to die for gorgeous litter of four kittens. My dear friend, Aleta and her 2 children, adopted ALL FOUR and I feel forever blessed that these darling kittens have wonderful spoiled homes. While trying to capture dear, Skippy (oh the stories) we actually caught Surrender and off to the vets we went...surprisingly he was a very good boy on the trip there. His days of running, wandering and creating havoc STOPPED. He instantly became an affectionate, loving, obnoxious "get off me" furball. We can't go outside without tripping over him...he's constantly underfoot wanting to be petted, scratched or otherwise "pay attention to me...and NOW." He will even put his massive club paws out and trip you. He loves to be brushed as long as you show him the brush first and he can bite it. You can not tell how absolutely huge this boy is in these photos. The vet told us in his prime he probably weighed no less than 15 pounds even if he was fending for himself. He currently weighs at least 20+ pounds and he's not fat...he's just fur and muscle...okay maybe a little chubby...but just a little.

I just wanted to share these photos. He has flame point siamese in him as he is snow white with red ears, face, tail and other markings. In these photos where he looks dirty, it's actually his red markings, but since he's under the shade of the porch it was hard to get the pictures and normally he would not sit there and pose like he did. I took my moment when I could.

Now for something crafty to post rather than something catty :o)

Happy Blessings,
Shantell

Hello!!!

Long time no speaky, as my housemate says. My apologies for being away for so long. The last few months of 2007 were not very good to me in many ways so I took a little time to myself. I will even admit that I decided to see a counselor to work through some of what was happening and it's helping a lot. Now one would think that I would be open to going to see a counselor after all I worked in a very busy counselor center in our local community college for 11 years and have a couple very good counselor friends (one currently working on her thesis for her Ph.D), but no I had to drag my feet on it even when it was my own idea...silly me. I think it's all the "touchy, feely, make you dig deep into yourself crap" they make you do...I just don't wanna!! Okay enough on that subject. 2007 stunk.

Bring on 2008!!! I woke up January 1 determined to count at least one blessing everyday even if I had to really think about it while my eyes were puffed up red from crying and my nose was stuffed with snot. I've been busy reading books on cloth doll making (Creative Cloth Doll Faces & Creative Cloth Doll Making by Patti Medaris Culea) which are wildly funky but have gorgeous faces and a great foundation to start from. I received a wonderful book on ribbonwork entitled, Ribbonwork: The Complete Guide by Helen Gibb, as a Christmas gift. This was recommended to me by my friend Kim Basta of Wild Thyme Originals who makes the most wonderful ribbonwork flowers to go along with her gorgeous bears. I picked up a copy of Artful Blogging by Someret Studios which has been a great inspiration on how and what I want to do with my blog this year. This also leads to me thanking Susan from Blog Banners by Susan Tuttle for my lovely new banner which inspired me to redo my blog. I happened to stumble across Susan's ad while lazily thumbing through all the beautiful pages in this book. You can also find her banner link on the right hand side of my blog at any time. New blog look, fresh new start for a more creative new blog year! Woo hoo!!!

I have plenty of things to keep me going these next few months...yes, including a few little Apple Dumplings. I wouldn't forget those! :0)

Oh, and my wants & needs...still confused...I've added a couple more things to the needs list or is it wants. I need to win the lottery...me and about a zillion other folks...that is a NEED. LOL

Have a happy day & count your blessings,
Shantell