KittyMarie

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Carl

In November, my sisterfriend announced some very big news.

No, it isn't a picture of a dog's nose (which is what our aunt thought at first). It's a brand, spankin' new human being.

See? She has proof.

She was born six weeks after me, and as two only children, we've been sisters to one another throughout life. And now I get to be an "aunt."

On Super Bowl Sunday, she announced the gender. She made cute bows, so everyone could show off their guess (wear it in your hair for a girl, wear it as a bow tie for a boy). I made little cards for everyone to scratch (she added the pink or blue). And suddenly, we knew a little bit more about the newest member of our family.

We've dubbed the little bean "Carl." I can't wait to meet him around June 30.

Gift of the Magi

After a long hiatus, I'm back. And I'm lighter than I was before Christmas.

I gave eleven inches to Children with Hair Loss. I've been growing my locks for a long time, and donating hair is something that's been on my bucket list for awhile now. I chose this organization because they accepted hair that had been highlighted. As CWHL says:

"It would cost a child $5,000 for a human hair replacement package . . . . CWHL takes care of any child with medical hair loss free of charge; they also can return every year until age 21 for services and hair replacements."

It's just a little thing, and it doesn't take anything more than time, but I hope my little donation will make a difference to a child. It was a great experience!

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

A few humble Christmas suggestions

Christmas is in full swing over at Casa de KittyMarie. I had our tree up two days after Thanksgiving (pats self on the back), we've already been to our first Christmas party of the season (Poinsettias, FTW), and we are looking forward to a month packed with friends and parties and baking lots of things that involve butter. I decided against throwing a Christmas party at our house this year and, whoa, the relief that comes with deciding not to do something. In that spirit, I suggest you decide not to go out and fight the crowds at your local mall, and instead sit back, sip some cocoa on the couch, and let me suggest some gift ideas for the good girls and boys.*

Kick-ass games for a special friend who kicks ass

Cards Against Humanity
This "party game for horrible people" is fun for two people or twenty. Even funner-er if you play with Rando Cardrissian. As long as you have the capacity to be crude and politically incorrect, you will excel. There are several expansion packs, and CAH just released a holiday set of 30, for which you can pay what you want.

Pandemic
This is a game for two to five players. You work together as a group of specialists to cure diseases around the world before the whole thing goes to hell, which it usually does. There are many, many ways to lose this game, and it can be extremely frustrating. Mostly because as soon as you lose, you WILL HAVE TO PLAY IT AGAIN to try to win. I am not a huge lover of board games, but I am positively hooked on this. Seriously. I'm going to need to go to rehab in the near future. It's getting out of hand. If you want to see the level of redonk, check out the episode of Table Top.

Gifts that also support charity for the embittered, world-weary relative

Esperos tote
This tote is simple and lovely (who can't use a good tote?). When you buy one, a female student in Haiti receives one year's tuition. Now if that isn't a great way to give and feel good, I don't know what is.

Tom's shoes
I know I've mentioned these before, but they are just awesome (especially the sparkly ones, like in the image above). I have two pairs (both Christmas gifts!), and they have held up really well. Husband wore the tread off his hiking around Manhattan last summer, so that should speak to how comfortable they are! With each pair sold, a needy child also receives a pair of shoes.

For the Fantastic Fella in Your Life

American Giant hoodie
This hoodie is a bit pricey, but it is supposedly The Greatest Hoodie Ever Made (or so says Slate). If you only ever have to buy one hoodie again in your life, I can see spending a bit more for it upfront. All clothing from American Giant is made in America and worked up by a former industrial designer from Apple. Awesome, huh? I hope they think about making women's clothing soon.

For the Greatest Gal in Your Life

Epiphanie bag
I asked for this for Christmas/birthday. I'm in desperate need of a functional camera bag, and I love the bags at Epiphanie because they do double duty. You can carry your camera and your belongings, and it totally looks like you're just carrying a purse...nothing to see here, thieves (unless you want my wallet, I suppose. I just like that it doesn't scream: "I'm a tourist with an expensive camera! Please glare at and/or mug me!" Again, this bag is on the pricey side, but my plan is for this to last me many, many years.

For the Bestest Baby You Know

Mustache pacifier
Okay, so maybe this is more for the baby's parents, but how freaking hilarious is this? Someone in my life is totally getting this for their spawn.

For the irritatingly happy newlywed

Custom rubber stamp
I adore these. I really need to buckle down and buy one for myself. What a sweet and perfect gift for someone just starting out in life with a new partner and new address!

For the science geek (or the kid who wants a pet but would lose interest three days after one's arrival)

Ecosphere
This is too cool. Just place the hand-blown glass sphere in indirect sunlight and watch a whole world unfold. The ecosphere contains live marine shrimp and require no maintenance. The average lifespan is two to three years (and it is surely awfully hard to get attached to these suckers).

*I am not suggesting you choose not to buy gifts locally. Buying from area merchants is the best thing to do. I just hate putting on pants and fighting crowds of surly holiday shoppers, so the majority of my Christmas gifts are purchased online. Do not be like me.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Thankful

As usual, I'm a day late and a dollar short, but no less thankful for...

...homemade black raspberry pie, frozen until a special occasion...

...and mothers- and fathers-in-law with sweet, gentle puppies...

...and regular ol' mothers and fathers with lots of cats...

...and handsome husbands...

...and bestest, lifelong cousinsisterfriends...

...and exciting news...

...and giant cupcakes for a grandma's birthday...

...and nature and nurture and all things beautiful in the world.

Friday, October 26, 2012

Equal rights. For all.

Please watch this video. It brought tears to my eyes. There are a thousand words I could write on this topic, but this helps crystallize all of them.

The Prodigal Daughter...

...returns. After an unintentional hiatus, I'm back.

Although I've continued to write posts in my head almost daily, I've had too much work to actually sign in and type those posts out.

(First World Problem: Darn all that work, almost more work than I can handle, for which I am generously compensated, which pays for my clean water, mounds of food, and warm, beautiful house. GAH.)

But with the changing of the seasons, I always find myself re-evaluating, re-envisioning, trying to check items off my mental to-do list and prepare for Whatever Comes Next.

I've missed posting. I've missed you. I hope you feel the same, because I think we should have a kick-ass party.

The wedding where I almost flashed everyone...

In early September, my dear friend Emmy Jo got hitched.

She was perfectly organized when I arrived to help her set up the reception site. She had even labeled her totes with warnings like "heavy." She had made many of the decorations herself, being the extremely talented crafter that she is. It was all lovely, the setup went smoothly, and aside from some torrential rain, the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner were wonderful.

The next morning we met bright and early to get our hair did and our faces painted.

And we dressed and took pictures and then got her married off.

After more pictures in the soft afternoon sunlight, we arrived at the reception site. We ate a delicious meal, the happy new couple cut their cake and tossed bouquets and located garters. I gave my matron of honor speech and cried at the end, because I love her and am a huge sap.

I believe it was around this time that the trouble started. I was up crossing the large room filled with the bride and groom's friends and loved ones when, suddenly, I felt a strange draft. The airflow on my derriere had inexplicably increased, and I reached down and realized that the intentional slit in the back of my dress had unintentionally gotten more...slitty. It was about to reveal my own personal slit (what? too graphic? you've got one, too, you know!). I rushed over to my husband and friends, blessedly located in a dark corner, and planted my rapidly exposing bottom on a chair.

Luckily, my matron of honor duties were complete, and though it was earlier than I wanted, we decided to shimmy out the door as quickly and as covered as possible (thank goodness for cold-blooded friends with sweaters). After passing off Bridal Bathroom Duties to a fellow bridesmaid, I broke the news to Emmy Jo and gave her a big hug. Thankfully, she wasn't upset, instead laughing at my predicament. Hard. I didn't mind -- I was glad she could find humor in the situation, especially since I felt so bad to sneak out early, albeit before I shared the assorted junk in my trunk with the people she loves most.

I consider this further proof of what a good friend she is, and I am so happy that her wedding was beautiful and filled with laughter (of all kinds).

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. You are loved.

Emmy Jo's Bridal Shower

In July, I had the opportunity to serve as matron of honor in my dear friend Emmy Jo's wedding. With the help of her bridesmaids -- her sister and sister-in-law -- as well as her mother and a fantastic friend who showed up early to help set up the day of, we threw her a lovely little bridal shower.

Emmy Jo and I have been friends since her family moved to the area early in our high school career (way over ten years now, how scary is that?). She and I really solidified our friendship, however, when we became roommates during a summer study abroad trip to France. We made it through that summer unscathed and closer than ever. So of course I had to throw her a French-themed shower (she helped throw one for me five years ago when I tied the knot)!

I designed the invitations...