10 On Tuesday

Sorry I’m a bit late in getting this up…more on that later…

Today’s picture is actually courtesy of Pete, who says “it was much funnier before I took the picture”, which is always the case with these two because it’s like they have a sixth sense that makes them stop being as cute/funny as soon as you reach for a camera.

1. It is cold and getting colder. I’ve been searching online for long underwear, but I think I need to head to the store and try it on before I buy. But it’s going to be so cold this weekend that I don’t want to leave the house…so maybe I’ll wait. Is that counterproductive? Should I go out and buy the long underwear so that I can leave the house this weekend without freezing?

2. I’ve been poking around the web looking to see what there is to do while we’re in NH on vacation. Unfortunately, dog sledding costs $245/couple for a 3 hour adventure. Perhaps not this year, but I’d really love to do it some day. Add that to the life list.

3. Pete and I went to the grocery store after work and I stocked up on quick and easy lunch options for days when I don’t have leftovers to bring to work with me. My goal is to bring lunch to work at least 4 days each week, and so far so good….although I had to buy Monday after I dropped my yummy leftovers all over the floor taking them out of the microwave because I’m and idiot!

4. I’m starting to think about training for the 3-Day, and there are two suggested training schedules – 24 weeks or 16 weeks. The difference between the two is that for the Boston walk the 24 weeks starts February 10th when it will still be freezing cold and the 16 weeks starts April 7th, when I will no longer want to cry when I think about being outdoors. Surprisingly, I’m still considering doing the 24 weeks.

5. Because I can do some of that walking at the gym, in the warm, watching trashy cable!

6. I have been working on improving my posture lately, and my back is a bit sore. That’s a good thing, because it means I’m using my muscles properly to sit/stand up straight. I kind of want the iPosture device, but not for $90. I’m very good at ignoring the “SIT UP STRAIGHT!!!” label stuck on my monitor at work, but I don’t think I could ignore a vibrating disc attached to the front of my shoulder.

7. I really really love Stash Tea’s Organic Merry Mint Green Tea. I was running low at work and completely out at home, so I ordered more and it was delivered today, woohoo!

8. I kept thinking that I had no plans this weekend and would be able to spend the whole weekend inside, cleaning and organizing the house (and/or napping and watching movies). Then I realized that I have book club on Sunday. I love book club and I’m excited for it, but for some reason the realization that I actually do have something to do and will need to leave the house really threw me off.

9. Pete got the first season of How I Met Your Mother on DVD for Christmas, and we’ve been working our way through it. It is hilarious. H-I-LARIOUS, people. Barney is so funny that sometimes I laugh in anticipation of what he’s going to say.

10. Dear MBTA: Please figure out how to send your T alert text messages once and only once on a consistent basis. Once you figure that out, we can work on sending them in a timely fashion, and then on making sure that you follow up (i.e. if you send a text stating there are delays due to a medical reason, be sure to send a follow up text when the train is back on schedule).

Photo by Pete


Pete caught the kitties cuddling on the couch! These two kill me with cuteness daily.

I was just reading in some magazine that cat owners have less stress than non-cat owners. I can totally understand why! These guys are constantly chasing each other around, wrestling, snuggling, or up to some kind of antic that cracks us up. We laugh daily because of them. I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
Except maybe a Bernese Mountain Dog, but don’t tell them that! ;)

Christmas Wrapping

I got my Christmas gifts from Pete’s fam today (which I loved, thank you!) and it turns out that Champ and Barley made out pretty well, too!  A bag which Champ promptly claimed and Barley was in the box they all were shipped in within seconds of me emptying it.

Even the cats are thankful



I was cooking away (cranberry-pear sauce, if you must know) in the kitchen when Barley came in. He’s not usually a snuggler, but tonight he pestered me until I picked him up to cuddle (keeping him away from the cranberry-pear sauce so it didn’t turn into cranberry-hair sauce) and he asked me if I would please convey the below message.

Dear Nonni and Nonno,

We know that while we’re no longer the newest, youngest, or smallest of your grand cats, we’re still your favorites. Right? We must be, or you wouldn’t send us the great presents you do! We would like you to know that we are very thankful for you, and especially for that box you sent us last month. Auntie Sarah has been very nice and let us keep it instead of recycling it, and I’ve made a little nest of the papers. Champ likes to chew on the flaps (she’s a little weird).

We just wanted you to know that while all you humans are shoveling turkey in your mouth and giving us boring, dry kibble to munch on (except Champ, who gets the good juicy stuff, why does the youngest always get the best stuff? Don’t tell her, but I steal some when she’s not looking), we’re still thinking about the same things you are and being thankful for all that we have.

Especially that box, because that box is one heck of a cozy box.

Love,
Your favorite grand cats,
Barley & Champ

Friday I’m in Love


This Friday, I’m in Love with…

1. CHAMP! She’s earning new nicknames lately: piggy pants, destructo kitty, tornado kitty. The other day she was running around so crazy that she got tangled in Pete’s earphone cords that were dangling from the table, and the cord snapped in half. Yeah. Destructo kitty in the house. She has also started the lovely new habit of arriving at the foot of the bed around 6 AM and starting a wrestling match with Barley. EVERY MORNING.

2. My hobbit jade plant. I bought this a few months back because I’ve wanted a jade plant for a long time, and it’s been thriving. I’ve been told that the red tips mean the plant is happy. It’s about double the size it was when I first got it, and if I can keep the cats out of it’s pot, it just might keep growing and end up ginormous.

3. My new Bungalow 360 Owl Bag (love them!). I wanted a bigger bag that I could fit lunch, a water bottle, and my school books in, and I’d had my eye on this one for a while. I finally caved and bought it a week ago. I do not regret this one iota.