Kitties and Cakes and Keane, Oh My.

It's only been a week since we lost our Lucy Girl, but it already seems like a distant dream. There is just no way that could have possibly happened. We still see her lurking out of the corners of our eyes sometimes. A few mornings I've caught myself about to call for her in a sing-song voice, as I did every morning. Then I remember and my heart sinks. Oh. Damn it. We miss you, little lady.

We've been very appreciative for all the kind thoughts and cards that have come our way. We are grateful to have so many people in our lives that understand what it means to love an animal and the way they get into our hearts and never ever leave. You know who you are. And we thank you.

The past week has been a bit busy, which is probably for the best (had I nothing else to do, I would have spent my time moping about the house). The Amazing Willow and I are taking a cake decorating class, and this week we completed our first project.


Here it is, people...my first proper cake. You can tell because it says so! I couldn't think of anything else to write, so I just got straight to the point. Not too shabby for a first time, eh?

The class itself was $25, which sounded like a real bargain. It wasn't until after we enrolled that we learned we'd have to buy a slew of supplies and make all our own cakes and frosting at home and from scratch. So far, we're into this thing about $100.

My cake looks like it's worth $100, doesn't it?

Anyhow, between cake class and baking cake and making enough frosting to frost the pyramids in Egypt, I've been a busy bee.

Last night Willow and I went to the Keane concert. We had purchased the tickets quite a while ago but by the time this week rolled around I quite honestly wasn't feeling like going to a concert. But as it turns out, a great time was had and I think it was good for me to get out of the house and do something fun.

We almost became the victims of road rage, enjoyed a yummy dinner, hit a car in the parking lot and froze our asses off to meet rock stars. See? Fun!

It actually was a lot of fun (see here for full details). It'd been quite a while since I'd been to a concert and it was almost cathartic to stand shoulder to shoulder in a huge crowd, all singing as loud as we can along with the band. Keane is one of my all-time favorites.

The Sound of Silence

Our little Lucy Girl is gone.

She had developed lymphoma and it began to take her quickly over the last month. We allowed her to pass away peacefully last night, and we were by her side until the very end.

Lucy was an incredible presence in our lives. She carved out a piece of our souls and that's where she lived. She completely owned us. She had a little spark about her that always brought a smile to our faces whenever she was around. She was full of little quirks (like stealing my blush brushes and hiding them under pillows) and was always so sweet and charming. And she always knew when we needed her.

There was a time about three years ago when I was not yet diagnosed with my MS, and nobody knew what was going on. Vertigo had hit and I spent 8 straight hours on the bathroom floor, puking my guts out. I was miserable and scared. Lucy did not leave my side. She layed on the floor with me and I could feel her pawing at my arm while I puked, as if in comfort and worry.

Lucy also had a very strong connection to Nick. She had complete possession of his heart and her happiest place was wherever he was. She'd spend a lot of time with him in the computer room, lounging on the back of the chair or in his lap. She also loved to sprawl across his desk, usually taking up the entire mouse pad or otherwise hindering his room to work. But he never minded.

Lucy rarely slept on the bed while we were in it (I think we moved around too much for her liking), but when she did she was pressed up tightly against Nick. After Nick came home from his knee surgery, she slept with him every night for the first few weeks.

Lucy had a series of nicknames over the years. Lucy somehow changed into Lucy La La. Then I started calling her Lucy McGuilicutty (like from the I Love Lucy show). Sometimes Nick would come home and call out "Lucy, I'm home" in the Ricky Ricardo accent. Then somehow Lucy McGuilicutty changed into Magilla Gorilla (that old Hannah Barbara caratoon). The Gorilla Girl. Then Gorilla Snacks or sometimes just Snacks for short (honestly, I don't know how snacks got involved). But the one that always stuck, and will be forever and always, is Lucy Girl.

Lucy has left a giant hole in our hearts. The sound of her not being here is so very loud. And everywhere we look we see where she used to lay in sunbeams or her favorite spot to look out the window or where she clawed up the carpet on the corner of the stairs.

There are three food dishes still. Even though it kills me to look at them, I'm not yet ready to put one away.


We love you, Lucy. We will miss your spark and your sass and your sweet little touch. And while our hearts ache, we are comforted that you are at peace and are no longer suffering. Thank you for all that you gave us.

Time To Put Away That Winter Coat

The cats are shedding like crazy. As such, we sat them down and gave them a good brushing to comb out some of their winter under-coats. And when I say "sat them down" I really mean followed them around the room. They love being brushed and they get all crazy and can't sit in one spot for more than a few minutes. They have to get up and go plop themselves down in another spot just out of arms reach (or they just scoot...sometimes getting up is far too much effort), then look back at us as if to say "Well?? Get over here!".

This ginormous furball is what we brushed out of them in about 20 minutes. It's comprised of approximately 10% Lucy, 25% Snoopy and 65% Marbles. The photo hardly does the ginormity of it justice. It's pretty much a whole new kitten. It's even casting it's own shadow!

Oh, incidentally....this is my 100th blog post. Yeah. This post really embodies what my life is all about. I feel like a rock star. Honestly, it's a wonder I am so grounded.

But He Promised To Call...

Beware The Claw