One! Singular Sensation!

The Proposal

2009-11-10T23:01:00.014-05:00

Alright, alright! Here's the story... of a lovely lady... ;) And a very lovely man!

RightHand had told me months ago to leave this weekend (Nov. 6th-9th) free because he had planned something. Well, as usual, law school got in the way of things, as I signed up to take the MPRE (one of our required exams) on Saturday, the 7th. So it was decided: We would leave after my test on Saturday, and it would all remain a surprise to me. Fun!

Well, Tuesday afternoon, I decided I was simply too overwhelmed to take the MPRE on Saturday. They offer it again in March, so everything will be fine. It's quite unlike me to back out of a standardized test that's all set-up and confirmed, but I think it was a great lesson in self-care.

Annnnnyway, in lieu of the test, RightHand and I dropped off baked goods to the Student Animal Legal Defense Fund chapter bake sale:

The girls and Max

Now we've got the right sign! :)

As close as RightHand and I will ever come to tailgating...

RightHand had told me that the first surprise was at the Botanical Gardens in Athens. Of course, I whined that I was still hungry (yes, even after the delicious baked goods) and was really craving some Waffle House. And you know you don't get between a Southern girl and her Waffle House.

So, we ate at the WaHo, and I'm sure RightHand was wanting to kill me at this point for delaying the morning so much. Finally (finally!), we arrived at the Botanical Gardens:

So happy to be enjoying a beautiful day!

Unusually happy

RightHand then revealed to me that we were going letterboxing, an activity we have done many times together. Basically, it is a treasure hunt of sorts. There are boxes all throughout the country (and world, actually). They are hidden and contain rubber stamps. You can go online to letterboxing.org, type in your location, and find directions to letterboxes near you. Each box contains a rubber stamp and a notebook. When you find the box, you stamp the box's stamp into your own notebook, and leave your own mark/stamp in the box's notebook. Hope all of that made sense!

Okay. So, armed with directions to the "Holiday Stocking Box", he and I set out.

Here I am thinking, "Why is RightHand making this stranger take our picture?"

Well, first the directions instructed us to find the shady pavilion, which really was beautiful:

Such a cool vine

Awesome ceiling/trellis

We were also instructed to read its accompanying description. I lazily just had RightHand snap a picture of the information to be read later, like so:

It's important to remind you that I'm (obviously) writing this after the fact. RightHand was a great actor and I didn't suspect a thing!

Okay, I know this may bored you to tears, but bear with me! We continued our trek through the woods...

Going off the beaten path

Through a field...

Reached a gate...
(RightHand even played along as I tried to find the proper green gate)

Stretching my back, though lookin' pretty gangsta

A nice pause by the river

Handsome by the river
(Apparently that's his favorite shirt, so I guess I should've known it was a special day :)

Making my way...

The directions brought us to a bench in the woods overlooking the river. We decided to sit a spell:

Me and my ghost boyfriend ;)

A rather unflattering pic of me, but I want to document everything here!

The view from the bench of the path we needed to take next. The directions told us to go down to the bank/beach, but it was pretty treacherous, and my first attempt at sliding down to the beach failed:

If you can't hear, I am complaining/laughing that I just kicked myself in the heel and got muddy. RightHand is repeatedly checking to see if I am happy. (He tells me now that he really wanted to get me saying that I was happy on camera. Why? I am still not sure...)
(Note: Sadly, this is not the only video where I begin by thinking I am posing for a picture...ha!)

The way we ended up taking involved us clinging to a shifting, sandy cliff while holding on to plants and trees for dear life, lest we fall in the river. He made me work for it, ladies!!! Funnily enough, I also remarked that there were fresh footprints on the hill... It was just so strange because it was a treacherous and obscure place to be!

Finally, we're on the beach. I had RightHand take a picture of animal tracks he found:

And I find the box.

Ooooo!

And he is taking a picture of my every move!

Sort of wondering why RightHand is filming things, because he's usually so ~~pushy~~ involved:

Just realized that you can hear RightHand breathing hard in the video...awww! My heart still stops when I hear his final words... "I've got something to say..."!!! And by "children", I meant ~~children, like I said~~ our cats. These are the pictures I was looking at:

I had always jokingly told RightHand that I wanted to be proposed to on Christmas morning with a golden retriever puppy with a red ribbon around his neck. And on that ribbon would be an engagement ring, and we would name the dog Fifi, short for "Fiance" (kind of), and we would live happily ever after. Plan much? ;) And you may see the ring on the cats clear as day now, but I totally didn't notice it in the moment!!!

And RightHand put the camera down, made a beautiful speech, pulled a ring out of his bag (no, it was not in the box- good thinking, baby!) and asked me to marry him. Oh, I said YES! :)

And then he filmed me, of course:

I am so, so glad we have this on video. Best clip ever. :)

Catching my breath on a log and still crying :)

RightHand joined me on the log and we enjoyed the moment

So happy.

We returned home and told the kids the good news:

Sharing the joy with Latte

Gatsby was, er, thrilled :)

And then RightHand whisked me away to an incredible bed and breakfast in the North Georgia mountains. Will post all about that shortly!

I love you, future husband. :)

A Small Announcement...

2009-11-10T15:23:00.001-05:00

RightHand proposed and I said yes!!!! :)

Details to come!!!

A Very Belated Bunday!

2009-11-06T01:16:00.007-05:00

Poor Miss Daisy. The kittens and cats get all the fame! the fortune! the glory! and the blog posts. She will have her day. Well, I guess she does- Bunday! And I would promise to give her an extra special Bunday post this Sunday, but then I'd be lying only a few sentences into this post, and that's just bad form.

See, all of my 'regular feature' posts are likely to be late again, as RightHand is taking me on a weekend getaway! To where? I don't know! Oh, surprises are so fun and romantic :) And frustrating. Or at least they must be for RightHand, as he has been fielding questions from his nosey girlfriend at the rate of about 2,000 per hour. They generally go like this: "Am I going to need to bring a bathing suit? Nooooo- don't tell me don'ttellmedon'ttellmedon'ttellme!!!!!!!!!!" I'm so dang excited about this weekend, and though it is a stressful time of the semester and therefore perhaps the worst time to live it up over a whole 3 day weekend, I've decided it's actually the best time. So yay. And I feel like Bridget Jones did when Hugh Grant took her on a Proper Holiday!! This is RightHand and my's first trip/getaway together... wish us luck. :)

So, where was I? Oh, right. Daisy not getting enough attention. ~~How ironic.~~ What a coincidence... (I am astonished at how many things I would call "ironic" are actually just coincidences. Though maybe that was true irony there. Who knows? I have yet to get a good definition of irony. If you've got one, lay it on me.)

Annnnnyway, the kittens/cats weren't the only ones who had a big, crazy weekend...

Talking with sister Latte

Eyeing the TV cords.
(The cats locked out on the porch is simultaneously devastating and hilarious)

Nicely visiting (A mother can dream)

Stand-off/stare-off with brother

Loving her new hay tunnel/burrow
(Note: Daisy would like to apologize for the poo in the picture)

Oh, what's this? says Tarzan...

The kitten cannot get enough of this damn thing.

And it's so darn cute when Daisy goes in!

The poor baby was on display in the middle of RightHand's apartment, though truthfully I think she liked being in on the action. Speaking of action, why yes, that IS Latte looking for trouble on the counter...

She really put on an adorable grooming show for us :)

A nice little portrait

And another. I feel like a mom who is pleased with this year's school photos ;)

And I have saved LA PIECE DE RESISTANCE, the Money Shot, the Other Cliche Description for last...

Oh yes we did...

Clean her scent glands (EWWWWWWWWW)

But oh yes it did...

Result in adorable pictures...

Simultaneously creepy and adorable, am I right?

No worries. The sweet girl was rewarded with a new, larger pen set-up when we got home:

And of course Tarzan wants in!

A Very Belated Caturday!

2009-11-05T00:18:00.009-05:00

Well this is a very special (though very belated!) Caturday that I dedicate to all of the adopted kittens/cats! Three of the four have been adopted. Peanut has become Merlin. Butter(fly) has become Cringer. Prince(ss) has become Sushi. And Almond has become Coco.

Okay, so I know the kittens/cats don't read my blog, or anything else for that matter, but I just want to thank them for bearing with me as I fumbled through my first experience raising a very young litter, and so many kittens at the same time, for that matter! And for all of the joys and yes, even the heartache, that they brought me and got me through. I guess we really helped each other, in so many ways.

And I'm also lucky enough to still have Mr. Tarzan, who never stops purring and makes me feel so loved. :) He has been quite a rewarding fellow, who is ~~slowly~~ quickly wiggling his way into our hearts (but remains up for adoption, dammit!).

Here are my last photos of the remaining members of the gang:

My seat, that they so lovingly always stole. What a zoo!

Peanut and Butter cuddling, with Tarzan actin' a fool

Tower power

The Three Musketeers

The two lil babies

Brotherly Love

Miss Almond in the tunnel I bought for the rabbit. At least someone got some use out of it! (Looking at you, Daisy.)

It's lonely at the top!

A little last-minute bonding, just to make me feel guilty, I tell ya

Ah, some time away from the kittens

Zounds! Someone got comfy!

Ohhhh yeahhhhh

And then hungry

And then evil!

And then there were two...

Can we keep him, momma? Pleaseeeeee?

And then there was one. With his tail curled around my wrist...

His little body on my shoulder...
and his whole, purring being wrapping around my (and RightHand's!) heart.

Way Belated Friday Fotos

2009-11-05T00:11:00.002-05:00

Talk about a delay! I'm so behind in everything in life right now- really sucks. :( But, I'm taking a time-out to bring you some very belated Friday Fotos, along with my thoughts. It was another week with a lot of very powerful images and I truly liked them all. See them for yourself here.

This one is so much like a Monet painting- love it.

I think this photo manages to capture some of the angst and torment that so many people feel. My heart is really breaking for this man.

I was torn about posting this graphic photo (the original site contained a pre-warning), but I think it is important to see the realities of bombing and death and horrific actions. American news outlets do not post graphic photos like some other countries' news services do, and I think its a disservice. Though painful, and shocking, and hard to sit with, it is reality. And we can affect it.

Another playful photo where I love the perspective. Someday (someday...) I'll get me one of them thar fancy cameras and experiment with these sorts of perspectives myself.

Ah, beautiful, powerful nature.

Special Message

2009-10-31T23:52:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween from me and Tarzan, the last kitten left! :)

2009-10-29T16:42:00.001-04:00

I also love this photo. This is the kind of modern design I can get behind. So creative:

Source

The Little Things

2009-10-28T14:00:00.002-04:00

I love this photo.

Happy Bunday!

2009-10-25T17:02:00.003-04:00

Love the nose and ears shots :)

She looks a little cross-eyed here or something! But yeah, just chillin' with her poo.

Here she is chewing her new bamboo mat. And you can see her pink rattle, too. I've gotten her lots of toys and a new habitat expansion is in the works. Maybe then she won't chew at the bars of her pen like a desperate prisoner?? I really think she's just mad because the kittens get free roam of the place and taunt her!

2009-10-25T01:57:00.002-04:00

I have an issue, dear readers.

And it's not that I'm awake, and blogging, at 2:00 a.m. because I slept until 4:00 p.m. today. It's not.

And it's not that I think I just damaged some internal organs while attempting to put my comforter back into my duvet cover. It's not.

It's the kittens.

They look at me. With their EYES.

These kind of eyes:

You see the problem now, huh?

Hopefully Tarzan is going to be adopted by one of my friends tomorrow. But my fingers are only half-heartedly crossed. I know I'll miss that guy so much. He plays like a wild man. When Tarzan is around, there's always entertainment. And he purrs all the time. You can literally hear him coming before you see him. And lately, without fail, he's been bounding to the door to greet me when I get home. Ugh.

And the other two, Peanut and Butter. Don't even get me started! Frail and shy, they are finally starting to purr around me. To trust me. To rely on me. I'm not trying to toot my own horn; I am no cat whisperer. But I want these guys to thrive and be happy, and I worry that they won't adjust well to a new household, etc.

Don't get me wrong, they're staying up for adoption. Oh yes. I do not want two more forever cats, not right now. And I know that special adopters will come out of the woodwork. Things will work out.

In the meantime, I'm going to stop worrying, and know that I will do what's best for the kittens, whenever it reveals itself.

In the meantime, need any kittens?

Happy Caturday!

2009-10-24T21:03:00.005-04:00

Once again, Almond has been neglected on the blog. Here are some more pictures of my pretty foster kitty:

She really is gorgeous, especially with those sweet baby blues...

Her ear was "tipped" (the universal sign that an animal has been spayed/neutered), but the vet really hacked on hers! Poor girlie.

Sleepy girl!

Preventing me from doing work. Yeah, that's it! It's all Almond's fault! :)

Allie, where are your pupils?

Belated Friday Fotos

2009-10-24T20:59:00.002-04:00

Here are my favorites this week. Go here to see them all and pick yours!

Favorite favorite favorite! I love fall so much!

So sad...likely struck by a ship. On behalf of humans, I'm sorry, whaley.

Just liked the angles in this photo

Intense. When seen through the lens of my anti-organized religion-ness, this photo has much meaning for me.

Reunited

2009-10-20T21:35:00.002-04:00

Kitten Update

2009-10-20T00:51:00.006-04:00

Well, the farmily is changing and morphing. One kitten adopted out. Another kitten adopted out. And the first kitten returned. Boo!

While the two were allegedly adopted out, the two black brothers really bonded, and it was definitely good for Peanut, the runt:

Okay, guys- that's enough. Too much cute!!

My foster cat, Almond, also got to bond with them some more:

Look at her! That cat is not right. Not right at all. But we love you, Crazy Almond!

Butterfly was the first to be adopted, "she" turned out to be a "he", and the adopter had a preference. :( I felt so bad for the kitten to be shuffled around and such, but he has returned to play with his brothers, and is even handsomer, if I may say:

Cutest study buddy ever

The second kitten to be adopted (success!) was Princess. Er, Prince. Yup, also turned out to be a boy. A litter of all boys- yuck! Some pictures from his last day with me:

Oh, those Siamese eyes!

Anyway, renamed Sushi, that little boy is very happy in his new home. Here is an excerpt of an e-mail from his new owner, which nearly made me cry happy, happy tears:

"He slept in bed with me last night and is a huge cuddler. He pushes his way under the covers, then sticks his head out against my cheek. He didn't cry at all and even jumped off the bed to use the litterbox while I was asleep. I put a box next to the bed, so he can come and go as he pleases. He also "nurses" in his sleep- he sucks on my t-shirt and kneads my chest. He loves to pounce on bumps in the blanket too...

He's doing great. He is JUST what I was looking for! (and has no trouble finding mischief- he jumps up on the fish tank to "fish" and drags toilet paper around the house! Thank you so much! He is very well loved!"

Ah, there are those tears again. Yay.

So, one kitten down, three to go.

A Belated Happy Bunday!

2009-10-19T20:57:00.002-04:00

Daisy has a newly-discovered interest (or perhaps hatred) in National Geographic Adventure Magazine:

Real-time destruction:

Happy Caturday!

2009-10-17T12:23:00.004-04:00

The kittens, playing with the Swiffer

Don't be fooled- they were NO help! :)

Had to get photographic proof that their room was actually clean at one point

They ran right in to mess it up, of course :)

Guilty looks!

Little did I know, the kittens are part of an elite task force. Their motto? "Leave Nothing Intact!" Just ask my shower curtain liner:

Belated Friday Fotos

2009-10-17T12:14:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the absence, everyone! I was/am very sick, dealing with kitten adoptions, and, very sadly, the death of an ex-boyfriend. Life got a little chaotic and icky... But now, I'm back!

Here are my favorites (choose yours here):

Creamed!

2009-10-09T22:28:00.004-04:00

Okay, not only are there interesting pictures of the European dairy farmers' protest in my posts here and here, but check out what I just found:

Courtesy of here.

Things are way outta hand!!

Friday Fotos

2009-10-09T21:52:00.003-04:00

It's that time again! Pick yours here.

I don't really like the photo itself, but notice the guy to the left in the mask, making off with a trophy. Rightful owner or looter caught on camera??

Hay being thrown at riot police. Pretty priceless. And just another saga in the wasteful milk farmer protests in the EU. Is this the only way they have to express their grievances? If that is the case, European political system = do not want!

So cool- sign of the times

Love the dramatic focus on the painting

Belated Bunday!

2009-10-05T20:40:00.007-04:00

Poor sweet Daisy... With 7 cats in the apartment this weekend, she has not had nearly enough play time, and now I didn't even blog about her on time. This week will be all about bunny love, I promise, little girlie.

In better times, Daisy had a great weekend when RightHand visited a few weeks ago. He got some great pictures of her, and gave them some hilarious captions. Enjoy:

Comfy

Yay, Cranberry Dispenser!

Empty Hand, Asshole

From Law School to Shit Scooper (one of my faves-ha!)

Happy Bun

I'm Gonna Bite Him

Nose Moving

Bunny Postcard

Bunny Profile

Docile Bun

Chillaxin'

Right Before Bunny Kisses

Stew (RightHand loves to tell Daisy that we're going to have rabbit stew soon...!)

Still No Berries

Finally

2009-10-03T15:53:00.003-04:00

With all of my accounts about living in a zoo (seriously! I'm only a giraffe away from certification!), some of you may be wondering what has happened to my own sweet, permanent babies, Latte and Gatsby.

Have no fear! RightHand is enjoying their company at his apartment, and I'm sure they are happier there than with all of the chaos and invaders at my place. And I still seem them every weekend. And they are still the most photogenic cats ever. Check out this sleeping pose:

The tease-- what they heck are they doing?

Oh the cute! Is he really sleeping that way?

Yes, yes he is. He's Gatsby, after all.

Happy Caturday!

Friday Foto

2009-10-02T20:53:00.002-04:00

Well, it's hard to believe after the many pictures that I selected last week, but I didn't love any of the photos this week! How about you?

So, I will post this one, which is admittedly cool, just for RightHand because he loooooves F1 racing, and it's taken over an F1 track:

Me, Lately

2009-10-02T00:45:00.000-04:00

Source

Yay for fall! :)

Spoke Too Soon

2009-10-01T17:12:00.002-04:00

Harhar... So, right after I posted the, er, post below, another mishap.

I walked into my office this morning, where the kittens stay, and my singsong "Good morning!!!" was met with dead silence. Eerie silence.

I looked in the kittens' usual sleeping spots: nothing. I asked Daisy: nothing. Well, okay, I got some nose wiggles. But the case was cold. I actually started tearing up, fearing that someone had surely snuck in during the night and only stolen the kittens! (In my wildest dreams? I kid!)

Well, of course, I accidentally locked the kittens in the closet with no food, water, or litterbox all dang night. You know, everything a growing kitten needs!

Sigh. For shame.

Non-Thinking Cap

2009-09-30T23:38:00.002-04:00

I know, I know- enough with the cats! But please pity me, for this is what I live with (cool move at 1:12, though):