So Long To Kitten Batch Number Two

This crew went back to the animal shelter today. They'll be spayed and neutered tomorrow and then put up for adoption ... and kittens are going like hotcakes there, so they'll probably each have a new home before the weekend is over.

This is a typical view of them hanging out behind their barricade that kept them confined to the bathroom and hallway. Whenever they heard us coming, they stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to us. Those eyes, how could any of us resist stopping to snuggle them?!

Also very typical ... the two more toward the front have always been the outgoing ones who are more receptive to pats and snuggles. The other two were more stand-offish and sometimes downright unsocial. We worked on getting them ready to be good kitties for some nice family, though!

Annie's favorite, Han Solo, is fluffy and snuggly. This is her very last time to hold him. *sniff*

And if I were told I had to keep one, this would be my choice: White Paws. She always came running when I was in view. She spent several evenings sitting on my lap during the past few weeks.

Bella wouldn't even let us hold her for a photo before we tucked each kitten into the kennel to go back to the shelter. But she looked up at snapping fingers!

And finally, this beauty with the crazy whiskers ... Princess Leia. Another one who wouldn't let us get in a last snuggle.

An hour and a half of hard work after we got home from the shelter, and my bathroom was back into perfect shape. I must say, while I want to have another round of foster kittens, I wouldn't mind waiting for a little while. They offered me two with no mama today; they require bottle feeding every two hours. I declined.

Blue Skies and Sunshine

Enjoying the trails and views of Colorado is something we don't do nearly enough, but we have a few favorite spots and venture out to new ones every now and then. This was one of our favorites from when the kids were little. Funny how walking this trail evoked memories and wistful feelings of those days.

My sweet husband and faithful partner for half of my life now.

It's always nice to find a stream on the hike. It changes the way the air feels, and the sound is truly soothing.

We wondered what kind of schooling and know-how we'd need to learn in order to be the park ranger that gets to live in this divine spot.

Longings of Moms

I can't tell you how many times during these first couple weeks of fostering two kittens and their mama I have likened their mother/child relationship to our parenting relationships with human children. When the babies are taken away from mama (because, you know, I need to weigh them ... and play with them), she is concerned and cautious. Likewise, when they are crawling all over mama and needing her, she is patient and happy ... and sometimes possibly a little overwhelmed.

Tonight when I opened the bathroom door, I found all three had ventured out of the kennel where they are usually snuggled together. I assume that the kittens had gotten curious, and mama followed to be protecting them. True to her form, though, the moment I opened the door, Mama immediately retreated back into the kennel and then watched to see what I would do with her babies.

I just enjoyed watching them. They walked around a little bit, on their still-wobbly legs. Their world is getting bigger. Just like kindergartners, getting a taste of new adventures just a half day at a time. And Mama waiting at the school door, ready for them to be done with each day's excursion.

After a few minutes, the little gray one had had enough. She's less adventurous than her white and gray sister, who has been stepping out of the kennel frequently for the past few day. She went back to Mama, like a middle school girl who needs some comforting advice from her mom. Sis hung out a little while longer, and then she decided it was time to head inside.

This mama kitty is oh-so-happy to have her girls back in the nest tonight. Can you hear her purr? She needs to enjoy it immensely now, because in another month, they'll be weaned and she will return to the animal shelter. The kittens will follow close behind, all of them to find new homes.

The comparisons to human relationships can get bleary eyed and heart wrenching at this point. Right now, I'm grateful that my "kittens" are in touch and we enjoy frequent interactions with them. Purrr.

Kitty Update

I really do not do pajama days. It's a very rare occasion (once every few years) that I am still in p.j.s after 8 a.m. So when it was approaching noon today and I was just heading for the shower, I was feeling a little bit unaccomplished.

You see, I was going to swim this morning. But I was waylaid by coffee and scripture memorization, and then I did a few chores, and then fell into the black hole of kitten admiration. I never did get in that swim, but I'm happy to say that I am finally dressed and ready to head out the door and do some shopping prep for an event this weekend.

But first, let me share with you some of the 14 kitten videos I took while I sat on the bathroom floor and enjoyed this sweet little family this morning...

This is where they live. That striped towel is where I sat this morning while I talked to and enjoyed watching them.

Hard to believe this loving mama is a wild stray cat. Maternal instincts sure kick in, and she is devoted to these babies.

Of course, when my college girl came home last weekend, she had to have a little fun. This kitty wore the Princess Look quite well.

These special young women probably would have snuggled the kittens all night if other activities hadn't beckoned.

 And here is just one video, because the others were coming in upside down and I don't know how to fix that. This is the sweet little curious kitty who wasn't interested in nursing. I predict that by the end of the week, I am going to have kittens crawling outside of their little bed area.

Finally, here is a bonus picture that has nothing to do with kittens. It's the very fun, cheap, accommodating vehicle that our favorite Captain America who is overseas purchased yesterday. 

My "Starter Kit"

I'll admit it's a small one, but my "Crazy Cat Lady Starter Kit" arrived yesterday. I jest; I highly doubt that I'll end up with a dozen cats in my house.

This little stray mama and her two six-day-old kittens came to stay with me -- our first round of foster kitties!

They eat. They sleep. They scramble back to Mama whenever I hold them.

This 5 3/4 ounces of fur and wobbly legs has captured my heart!

They're so tiny! Their little "mews" are high pitched and sweet. It's going to be a fun month or two having them here. The mama will go back to the animal shelter when the kittens are weaned, and I will continue to foster the kittens until they are large enough to be spayed and adopted.

Returning to the Work World

I've always had a bookkeeping job - it was bigger in our early marriage, and I juggled a lot when our children were young. It was even busier when we home schooled and I took kids and books to work and came home and found that kids hadn't completed their assignments; so it was nice when work scaled back for me as we continued our ten years of home schooling.

In recent years, I have been working one short day each week, keeping books for our church. It's not too demanding, and I have been able to serve my family and others without stressing too much about not having enough time at home.

As my youngest entered college a few weeks ago, I was a little concerned that her absence at home was going to leave me blue in the mid-week afternoons. We have shared a very close friendship, being highly involved in each others' lives. However, we are adapting to the changed structure in life. (And it doesn't hurt that we still exchange a few texts, emails, and phone calls frequently.)

I set my sights on getting busy - seeking caregiving or household organization jobs, considering a virtual office assistant job at the recommendation of a former boss, and applying for a few positions with our local school district.

God has provided just the right amount of "busy" for me during these first weeks of college: I have cared for a friend's mother at home on hospice; I have met up with a friend and her little ones for a play date; I have listed lots of stuff on CraigsList and done substantial de-cluttering; and most recently, I was offered a position as a substitute para educator with our school district.

I enjoy staying busy, and it's been nice to find that I still have marketable skills and am making an impact with new relationships!

119 - Call To Community

The single most moving moment, that time when I felt complete peace about leaving our daughter at college, was during a Call To Community conducted by the university. It was a worship service structured much like a church service, with group singing, performance songs, a responsive reading, scripture, a dedication address from the university president, and corporate dedication prayers read by parents, faculty, and upperclassmen as each group in turn surrounded the incoming students.

It still brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart when I recall those moments.

This school has my daughter's back. She will have fun and do crazy things; she will get sick and face discouragement; but she is there to receive an education and grow in her walk, and I am confident that the faculty and support systems in place will guide her all the way.

And maybe a few phone calls home will help, too. I'm not complaining that in the first week, there have been many of those.

During this Call To Community, we were all encouraged to set our phone alarms for a daily reminder at 1:19 p.m. At this time each day, we are recalling the school's theme verse for this year:

How can a young person maintain a pure life?
By keeping it according to your word.
With all my heart I have sought you;
Do not let me wander from your commandments.
Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I might not sin against you. - Psalm 119:9-11

This is my daily prayer for my children, for our friends and family, for the other students at school. I'm praying it for you.