(extremely cheesy effects brought to you by Picnik)
Gandalf turns 8 today! I’ll gift him with a can of tuna tonight. If I had a pointy birthday hat at home, I’d put it on him for photos, but he’d probably bat it right off anyway.
Things I love about my first-ever cat:
♥ He sleeps next to me almost every night. Last winter I made him a special fleece cushion for this purpose, but now he prefers to take up an entire body pillow.
♥ He is “talkative.” For a while after we brought Peach home, he was quiet, and I was afraid I’d never hear his conversational meowing again. But he got his voice back!
♥ He requires that strangers allow him to sniff them before trying to get close to him. After approval, he sort of bows and presents his head for petting, which caused Debra to give him the nickname “Sultan.”
♥ At mealtimes, he enjoys sitting at the table like a person. If I forget to pull out his chair, he makes his displeasure known.
♥ When I’m upset, he senses it and comes to be with me right away.
♥ He spends part of each morning basking in the sun, even in the middle of summer, even though he’s a black cat.
♥ He loves cheese. Milk holds no interest for him, but when I open a bag of shredded cheese, I have to practically stand in the refrigerator and avoid eye contact to keep him from noticing.
I know this makes me sound like a crazy cat person, but I’m thankful for Gandalf and hope for at least another 8 years with him! :)
3 Comments + Posted in: cats
(St. Augustine, Florida, 2008)
Losing someone you love deeply is like being diagnosed with a chronic disease. Along with the sadness, you have the terrible knowledge that you will never be “all better” here on earth. No matter what joys God brings your way (and you hope that He will), that grief will always be there. You will be reminded of it at every holiday, every anniversary, every special occasion when that person should have been with you. Every time you go to Target and remember you don’t need to buy their favorite foods anymore. It’s a gaping hole that may heal with time but will always leave an ugly, unfixable scar. I don’t know yet how to cope with the permanence of it, other than to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and hang on to things like this:
For men are not cast off by the Lord forever.
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.
For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to the children of men.
– Lamentations 3:31-34
2 Comments + Posted in: grief
Today is my friend Myla’s wedding day! It’s also the release date of her long-awaited second album, White/Gold. I am VERY excited about both events, and strongly encourage you to go purchase the album here at Bandcamp. You can thank me later. :D
I’ll also be giving away several copies/downloads here at the blog, so stay tuned!
My new couches arrived yesterday! :D They’re VERY comfortable and look great!
I have to say, the giraffe pillows seem much less giraffey than in the store! Each couch came with four pillows, but we removed one so people could actually sit.
My mom also suggested a square coffee table instead of another rectangular one. I was resistant at first, because I want one with a shelf and baskets underneath, but I think she may be right. I’m planning to visit the Ashley furniture outlet this weekend in addition to my usual Craigslist stalking.
Current mantel arrangement, with my new Nell Hill’s birthday vases from Stefanie and Kevin. I’m still tweaking it, since I have no eye for these things…all I know is that the “trophy” should be in the middle. Looking at the full effect of everything, I started thinking that the living room might look great painted the lightest color of that fake plant. Like a really pale celery. Would it be crazy to repaint my living room around a fake plant? I love it – the hanging greenery reminds me of Savannah.
I bought a pack of Sticky Paws strips to keep the cats from clawing the backs of the new couches, but after applying a few, I realized it wasn’t going to be enough protection. So I looked into the SP full sheets. They were only available online and prices/shipping were ridiculous. In the end, my mom offered to go to Hancock’s today and pick up some clear vinyl to put over the entire backs of the couches. It’s pretty depressing to have (partially) vinyl-covered furniture just like my grandma, but it’s my only real option. Hopefully it’ll work! :\
4 Comments + Posted in: cats, domestic
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Without being spoilery, Mockingjay produced a lot of the same feelings in me that Deathly Hallows did. It was brilliant, but not quite what I expected. Still, everything unfolded in a way that was true to the story and to Katniss’s (awesome) character. I love Haymitch too, flaws and all.
In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart: Hope For the Hurting by Ruth Graham
I was very encouraged by this memoir/self-help book, in which Ruth Graham talks about the unexpected trials she’s experienced and what she learned from them. Each chapter focuses on a specific tough time in her life, and is supplemented with advice, discussion questions, and pertinent Bible verses. I appreciate such a prominent Christian being so honest about her struggles – and I know it wasn’t easy for her, since she addresses that in the book too. The chapter about recovering from crisis (with the example of the prophet Elijah being cared for in the desert) was a great affirmation for me at this moment in my life.
The Day I Shot Cupid: Hello, My Name Is Jennifer Love Hewitt and I’m a Love-aholic by Jennifer Love Hewitt
Don’t judge! I saw this at the library and couldn’t resist. It read like a blog, was very entertaining (often unintentionally), and included a workout designed by JLH’s trainer that I copied and am actually going to try to do! It took me less than an hour to read, too, so there’s nothing to feel bad about. :) JLH also seems like a very nice and well-meaning person.
Falling Apart in One Piece by Stacy Morrison
This memoir of an unwanted divorce was difficult for me to read. I almost gave up a few times, but for some reason I felt that it was important for me to finish it. It is honest, real, and raw, and a good representation of the experience.
Knowing God by J.I. Packer
I started this classic at the beginning of 2010, reading it a little at a time so I could fully absorb it. He expounds on the attributes of God in a way that’s both understandable and leads you to new revelations. I’m sure I’ll come back to this book again and again!
Talking to Girls About Duran Duran: One Young Man’s Quest for True Love and a Cooler Haircut by Rob Sheffield
My first win on Goodreads First Reads! I enjoyed Rob Sheffield’s first memoir, Love is a Mixtape, so I was excited about this new one. Each chapter is loosely structured around an 80s/early 90s song that influenced him or was the backdrop to an important time in his life. Since I also strongly connect music with memories, I can totally relate. The book is fun and engaging, and if a guy who wrote for Rolling Stone can admit to liking Hanson, I need not be ashamed. :)
Books for August: 6
2010 year to date: 46
Add a Comment + Posted in: book reviews, reading