My very own box… It’s EXACTLY what I wanted for Christmas!

Hey everyone! Rolz here! And Oh My Cat, but do I ever have news to share! It was so weird, but out of absolutely NOWHERE a purr-fectly pawsome box was delivered to me (and apparently the rest of my feline family, but that’s not the point) from the Jasper McKitten-Cats. I have no idea why they would be sending me a box – my human screamed something about a Secret Paws – but I know for a fact none of us cats asked for paws this Christmas, secret or not. Read more

Because obviously I don’t have enough to do a week before Christmas… guess I’ll make an afghan… This is me with Kizmet and the afghan that inspired it all…

Christmas is less than a week away so I think I’ll make an afghan as a gift. Yes, when you’re me, that’s the insane kind of thing you decide to do. It came to me out of nowhere – I was pondering the gifts I had gotten everyone and I just didn’t feel I had that “home run” gift for my youngest son, Joe, who will be coming from Upstate New York to be with us for the holidays.

This was me with my boys – Joe and Chris – back in 2011. I am so excited that both boys will be with me for Christmas this year too!

I got him some practical stuff he wanted, but nothing that really came from the heart. The inspiration came to me by just “listening” to what was around me – I was sitting on the couch in my office, surrounded by my cats and an afghan I had made several years ago. This afghan is especially special to me, as it is the afghan that I snuggled with on the last day I spent with my beloved angel, Mr. Jazz. Joe is a huge cat lover and Mr. Jazz was a major part of his life. I knew at that moment that he needed an afghan from me (and don’t worry, I’m not spoiling his surprise – he’s one of the few people on earth that is not addicted to the Internet and he won’t be reading this).

This afghan will forever be precious to me… I am seen here in my final moments with Mr. Jazz. Sadly, I did not know on that fateful day that Harley who is also in this picture (along with Kizmet) would pass a year later…

Throwing any sense of practicality out the window, I did a search on Google for “Quick and Easy Afghans” and found one that I really liked. And I must say, despite that Google is stalking my every living, breathing move and letting me know in a not so subtle way based on my searching patterns what I can’t live without it my life, I still love Google. I love how convenient it is and I love how well it knows what I want in the three words or less I type into my search engine.

Google and I found a nice pattern and we also found an online coupon to save a few dollars at Michaels Crafts. Thanks Google! Off I went and I honestly don’t know what’s more crazy – deciding to crochet an afghan in a few days, or braving the holiday crowds at Michaels… Or maybe deciding to crochet an afghan, going to Michaels, and then writing about it and putting a blog post together…

Victory! I made it back from Michaels unscathed! I chose a variety of textured yarns in tones of cream, brown, and black.

Anyhow, as you can well imagine, I have been madly crocheting like a possessed lunatic since I came up with this hair-brained idea. I will also tell you at this point that Google and I strongly disagree on what we consider “Quick and Easy.” The person who shared this pattern must drink a lot of Red Bull, because this is not going to be a few days project…

Sorry Jazmine – this particular afghan is not for you, but you can certainly help me make it!

Oh well. No big deal. It probably won’t be finished in time, but I’ll wrap whatever is done nonetheless. Right now it looks like a really big scarf and if I can’t get it done, I’ll just mail it to him when I do. But regardless, the best part is that he has a sweet cat in his life that I know will appreciate this gift as much as he does. Just like me, cats are drawn to afghans and knowing that I will be bringing such simple happiness to both of them is the greatest gift of all.

So that’s how I rock and roll – by throwing sensibility and caution to the wind. How about you – what crazy thing have you done for the holidays?

I really like how it is coming out so far (and Zoey seems to approve too). The design is comprised of 12 long panels that will be stitched together. The pointed ends will be capped off with fringe.

When it comes to the holidays, I’m a big one for tradition. But with time, life changes and so what once was, cannot always be. It used to be after I decorated the Christmas tree (a real one) with glass ornaments and family heirlooms I would put my two boys to bed and shut off all the lights in the house except for the Christmas tree. I would put Silent Night in my cassette player and just bask in the simplistic beauty of it all. The true spirit of the holiday would course through my body, reducing me to tears, and it was a private moment just for me as I reflected on all I was blessed with.

I no longer have boys to put to bed, and the tree, well, now it’s artificial and it’s decorated in a leopard theme with non-breakable ornaments. After I’m done decorating (with lots of help from my furry gang) I still turn off the lights and reflect in the beauty of it all, but now I share the moment with Dan and the cats. We converse at the end of the day like we do every day, sitting together, me blanketed in a soft pile of kitty love as we binge watch whatever show of the moment it is… in this case, Nurse Jackie.

But regardless of time, one thing always remains true, the spirit of Christmas resides in the heart to be shared with those you love…

Have a lovely Wednesday all!

When you feel overwhelmed at the holidays, even something like a tangled strand of lights can be enough to cause tears to flow in frustration. At that point, it’s just best to walk away for a moment. Put on some music that calms you and come back to it when you are ready. Or throw them away and buy a new strand!

I do love the holidays, but I must admit with the joy, peace, and goodwill, along with it comes a strong dose of anxiety, sadness, and melancholy. Tensions flare, unrealistic expectations for perfection set by Norman Rockwell standards of days gone by unravel at the seams, the simplest of things can overwhelm you, and every day can be a quick trip into a dark hole if you don’t keep it all in check.  Read more

Once a year, those musty boxes and totes we keep in the garage come in the house, and as I begin to unpack the contents, Jazmine wonders what the heck I am up to!

Oh! It’s stuff to decorate for Christmas! Kizmet who’s been around the block a year longer than Jazmine is already a pro and digs in to help (while finding the time to pose endearingly for the camera as well).

Yes, you Kizmet! Thanks for all the help!

Yes Mia, you’re a pretty little helper too! Oh, and hello Jazmine! Nice of you to join us!

So how is it in your house? If you decorate for the holidays, have you started yet? Do you cats help or are they bored with it all already?