Don't You Want to Adopt Me?

UPDATE: I'm pleased to announce that Kiera has a new home! Thanks to everyone for your concern and your help in spreading the word!



Almost two years ago, Alyssa and I adopted Kate and Kiya, poor little kitties abandoned in the middle of winter. Now, we have another homeless kitty in our care.

In the midst of this frigid, snowy weather, this poor little kitty (whom we've dubbed Kiera) showed up at our back door this week, shivering and starving. We obviously had no choice but to feed her, and we've let her into our garage to at least protect her from some of the elements. But, Kate and Kiya aren't too keen on a new sister, and there really isn't room on my bed for any more cats.

Kiera is skin and bones, but otherwise seems healthy, and she's super sweet--quite willing to cuddle. And knows how to use a litter box! Knowing her probable fate if we take her to the Humane Society, we'd prefer to try to find a good home for her first. If you'd like to adopt a pet this Christmas (or know someone who might), let me know! Kiera would love to come home with you!

I've posted ads on Craigslist, too: http://eugene.craigslist.org/pet/962255194.html

Snow...snow...snow...snow!

What is it about snow that brings out the kid in all of us? The roads become treacherous and our usual routines are inconveniently interrupted, but we still get giddy at the sight of that blanket of white that transforms the world into a winter wonderland. We feel the need to bundle up in scarves and hats and mittens and make snowmen and throw snowballs. Maybe this is more true in Oregon simply because we only see snow once or twice a year. Of course, that also means that no one knows how to drive in it, and the propensity for snow to turn to ice here doesn't help either. But since I get to stay snuggled up at home all day and simply enjoy the snow from my window, I say, "Let it snow!" My inner child thinks it's great fun. =)

Jane Austen

I love Jane Austen--her delightful satire, her witty turns of phrase, her wonderful heroines, her fantastic writing style. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to live in an Austen novel. Probably not as glamorous as I think. Apparently, I would be living in Sense & Sensibility:

Take the Quiz here!

I also think I'm a lot like Jane Bennett from Pride & Prejudice, but she wasn't one of the heroines on this quiz, so I guess we'll never know just how much like her I am.

And now, having just completed my very-chatty Christmas letter without any difficulty at all, I'm wondering if this quote from Jane would be sufficient evidence for my professor to let me out of writing my final paper for class:

“A person who can write a long letter with ease, cannot write ill.”

I obviously don't need any more writing practice.

Happy Light

Those of you who live in the Pacific Northwest know all about the seasonal depression that affects so many people when the grey skies of winter roll in. But did you know that seasonal depression also affects kitties? I had no idea until I noticed Princess Ki basking under various lamps around the house.



Apparently kitties need happy lights, too.

Shoes

“I sometimes think that shoes have a life of their own. The ones that squeak don’t like to leave the shop, and the ones that hurt don’t like the person that’s wearing them.” - Danny Kaye in the movie Hans Christian Andersen

Alyssa and I watched this movie a few weeks ago and had to laugh at this line. We have kind of a fetish for shoes around our house--and, being girls, we occasionally wear shoes that hurt our feet just because they're adorable. Take, for example, these green polka dot shoes that I adore for summer wear:



I'll put up with blisters and sore toes just because the shoes make such a statement. Of course, I never realized until I watched this movie that the statement they're making is that they don't like me!

The Danskos I bought recently fit in the same category. I've been looking for brown Danskos for months and finally found these on eBay:



They were the right size, brand new, and nearly 50% off the regular price. Unfortunately, the fact that Danskos are handmade makes them nearly impossible to buy online, since you never know how they'll fit. Well, this particular pair disliked me so much that they wouldn't even let my left foot into the shoe--and gave me a sore foot for hours for my efforts at trying to force my foot in. So much for my great deal.

Then there are my Privos.



They're comfy and versatile and worked great for walking all over Italy last summer. Except...they squeak. Apparently they wanted to stay in the store on their clean little shelf and here I was making them explore Europe with me.

I did, however, have much more success with these adorable Danskos:



They neither squeak nor hurt, so they must like me. I knew pink was my favorite accessorizing color for a reason!

Who knew shoes had such personality?