Monday, November 25, 2013

The "Catch-Up Queen"...

Hello, All!
 
Once again, catching up...
 
So much going on here, so many changes...
 
Still not used to the "new normal" empty nest ~
 
 
We have also lost two family members
 
 in the last few weeks, one human, one "fur"...
 
My brother-in-law Charles, first  ~
 
Charles was a father-figure for my husband and my SIL (their own dad had passed away)...
 
they were practically still babies when he married their older sister, DeeDee.

Charles got not only a wife, but a whole family...he was their rock for 57 years.
 
♥ ♥ ♥

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"Uncle Charles" was a good man.

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Then yesterday, my daughter Mandy's kitty, Basil.
 
She explained it best in her Facebook post, which I will borrow here...

"My sweet Basil died in my arms this morning.
Six years old - heart failure, blood clot.
 I've known the end was coming for about a month, but I had no idea when,
 & I guess one is never really prepared.
 I am so thankful it was quick, at home ...
& that I was with him.
 He was a sweet, crazy boy from day one,
& life will never be the same without him.
So, now it's just me & two tabbies.
It's not quite right for BlackCatPratt to not have a black cat..."

 
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As for me, I've been trying to get some things accomplished...

(Can you believe a month from today is Christmas?)

a beading project is in the works...

Kitties love beads, I've found...

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Cyrus is guarding the beads...

Sitting on them like a dragon...

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When I kept snapping pictures with my phone,

he turned around...

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When Cyrus wasn't helping, Leo was.

Look how he lies half-on/half-off the table!

Graceful, that fellow is...no "Bull in the China Shop" here...

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"I caused Mom to have to re-string an entire necklace after I swished

it off the coffee table with my tail...my work here is done...for now." ~ Cyrus

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That's it for now...

Check back in a day or so and I will post step-by-step instructions

for my animal ornaments...

Really.

I'll be back.

Love,

Photobucket

31 comments:

  1. Sorry about both losses in your family, not easy losing either one.

    My cats are also the type to sit on top of whatever I'm doing, be it on my keyboard when I'm typing away, or sewing something...they are funny!

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  2. Cats and beads...haha...they are so helpful at all times:)

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  3. I have loved and lost two black cats in my life, one just a month ago. It still hurts.

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  4. I'm sorry about the lost of your dear brother in law and your daughter's black kitty. Loosing a beloved pet is so heartbreaking too.

    I'm sending some warm healing hugs,
    JB

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  5. Anne, so sorry to hear about your losses.

    Loved Cyrus's reaction to your snapping pics - turning his backside to you! heeheehee! Great pic! :) It's crazy that Leo balances on the edge like that! Too funny! Your fur babies seem to have tons of personality!

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  6. So sorry to hear about your losses. I'm with you in a similar boat (we put my dog to sleep yesterday.)

    That one picture of your cat on the edge of the table makes him look like he's levitating!

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  7. So sorry for your losses.

    Love how the kitties "helped" you bead. :)

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  8. Welcome back Anne..Sorry for your losses...Kitties will sit on just about anything you're trying to work with..Gotta love 'em..

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  9. Dear Anne, sending you love, I was so sorry to read of your losses. The pictures of your wonderful cats made me smile, they love being centre of attention don't they? Jane xx

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  10. I'm so sorry to hear about your losses!!! The photos of these cats are beautiful, Anne.!

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  11. So sorry to hear of both of your losses . I know they were loved and will be remembered by you and your family. I also loved the pics of your other fur baby on the beads. SO beautiful. Prayers for you and your beautiful family this holiday season . xoooxoxox HUGS

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  12. Anne, my heart goes out to you. Deepest sympathies on the loss of Uncle Charles, and also on the loss of the fur baby :( So sad.

    You are still one of the busiest gals I know of, and I'm certain that you'll be creating beautiful things... right up to Christmas day.

    Have a wonderful, and happy Thanksgiving.

    {{hugs}}
    Kerin

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  13. Sorry for your losses Anne. I had to chuckle at the photos of your kitties helping you with your beading project. Our kitties are the main reason I started doing digital artwork on the computer -- they can't get to it!

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  14. Keep Strong Anne!
    Happy Thanksgiving!
    I will check back for your animal ornaments! Yay!!!! <3

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  15. So sorry for losses of your loved ones and condolences to Mandy. Tell her my 20 years old black tiger Tatanka waits for Basil there to play together.

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  16. Dear Anne - sounds like life has been sad and hard for you at this time. My heart goes out to you and your loved ones who lost someone so special. Also I cam imagine Mandy's heart is breaking over her fur baby. Please give her my sympathy.
    As for the beading project that looks like cat's paradise and something else for you...I know my kitties would have those beads everywhere - lol - have a wonderful week my dear one. xo xo.

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  17. Hello dear Anne
    I'm always in "catch up" mode too!
    Life has a habit of getting in the way of important things like perusing our fave blogs!!

    I've just become your newest follower - I thought I was following already and luckily happened to see your name pop up on another blog - so here I am!

    We all seem to lose someone through the year - it's always sad to think we won't see them again.
    Hopefully you can immerse yourself in a bit of creating - that always helps.

    Take care
    Hugs
    Shane

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  18. Hi flower, your blog is really amazing! Fascinating posts! I just love it and I'm following! I hope you'll visit me and follow mine too.

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  19. Anne, dear, I am so sorry for the losses in your family. Really there are no words for it, just sending you and your family a tight hug. Your brother-in-law was so handsome, and Basil...what a darling.

    I apologize, it looks like I have missed some Halloween posts...but I have been thinking of you.. :)

    Your furry "royals" make me smile every time...
    I hope you will share your beading creations with us!
    So glad you are posting again, and please take care....
    Much love to you,
    - Irina

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  20. Hi Anne,
    I feel so sorry for the losses in your family, If ever, such things shouldn't happen before Christmas. Can imagine your los in both cases.
    So nice that your kitties are with you and "help" and watch your work. I wish you a wonderful Christmas time nevertheless.
    Best greetings, Johanna

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  21. Dear Anne, I am sorry about your losses, I have had one also and it takes the wind out of your spirit. I am doing some catching up myself...I have been gone longer from my blog than I was aware of. I pray you are back soon....I have missed you. Dee

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  22. So glad I found your blog. Sorry to hear of your losses. I live in KC and come to Sikeston every now and then just to eat at Lamberts. Will try to remember to come back here to see your animal ornaments. Have a very Merry Christmas!

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  23. there you are! finally stopped by, I need to check my blog comments much more often, yikes, there is always so much spam I began to ignore them and missed such lovely comments as you left! so you are added to my blog bar.. thanks again, and GORGEOUS kitties you have!! merry christmas, robin

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  24. Just wanted to stop by to wish you and your family a happy and peaceful Christmas. God bless Lisa and Rosy xx

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  25. Dearest Anne...thinking of you, sweet friend.
    I hope you are doing well, and I wish you a beautiful Christmas...
    Much love and many blessings...so thankful for your very special friendship...
    Hugs,
    - Irina

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  26. We lost our black cat, Minnie this past April. We had had her since 1997.
    Hope you have a happy new year and continue with your beautiful art!
    Love,
    Kay

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  27. We lost our black cat, Minnie this past April. We had had her since 1997.
    Hope you have a happy new year and continue with your beautiful art!
    Love,
    Kay

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  28. Happy New Year Anne! Looking forward to 2014 and all your creative loveliness!!!
    Blessings to you and your family<3

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  29. Hi Anne, I am so sorry for your losses. I see that you and I have both slowed down on our blogging activity. Sometimes life just gets too busy!

    Hugs, and Happy New Year.

    Kathy M.

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I love your thoughts and comments, and I read each and every one! Sometimes life gets in the way, though, and it takes me a while to respond...Thank you for understanding! ♥...Time is precious, and the time you have taken here is truly appreciated!