Milkymilk

I thought love would last forever

We changed Skanky's name to Spanky, to make it more PG for Harper.  We did not want to have an awkward conversation with one of her buddy's parents one day about how they have no idea where Harper learned vulgarities such as "Skanky Kitty," but she is no longer welcome for play dates.  It seems it was a problem we would not of had to face.

A month ago Skanky lost her appetite.  She was a soft cat, and by soft I mean chubby.  Her life was devoted to eating, sleeping and cuddling.  I took her to the vet when we were still in Chicago.  They ran tests.  She peed out some bladder stones.  They changed her diet.

She lost interest in food again.  I took her to the vet here.  They ran more tests.  The results called for more tests.  Skanky stopped eating entirely a week ago today.  She would just stay in bed with me at night, and in my closet during the day.

On Tuesday she came down stairs.  I thought she must be feeling better, to be up and about like that.  She even asked to go outside.  I let her out.  She has not come back.

Skanky is from the San Francisco SPCA.  It is like the most ridiculously posh animal shelter imaginable, and she is, or was, the most posh kitty.  Her paws felt like they had only ever touched velvet when I brought her home 13 years ago.  A mouse once died of natural causes in her presence.  She is not a survivalist, and does not wonder much further than the front porch when she goes outside.  In other words, she was not feeling better on Tuesday.  She felt it was her time to go.

Any-who, I'm sure reading about some lady's cat dying is not what you wanted to do today.  I could bore you with how much I love my cat, and how much I will miss her, and how it has been nothing but a bowl full of tears in the home since Skanky left.  Of course I love her, and I am sick just thinking about her out there, where I can't help her or comfort her, or say good-bye.  Goodness.  These things have managed to cheer me up a bit, and maybe they will make you smile, too.

Dog Brownie Fail

Felted Baby Yoda Hat

Pie on a Stick

She was a friend to all, a loving sweet kitty with impeccable manners.  She was everything I ever wanted in a cat; cuddles and naps and snacks.  We will miss her and love her always.

Shop Local, Buy Handmade & Make Etsy Buddies

Etsy is awesome.  Not only is it the best place to sell and buy your handmade goods, we have made real live friends on it!  Friends who make very cool hair accessories for kids and babies.  This headband is the only thing Harper will wear on her head since she learned to pull her pony tails out, a minor tragedy I am still recovering from.  Behold the cuteness*:

You can find more of Sherryl's ridiculously awesome clips and headbands on her etsy shop, Skylar's Candy Clips, and her blog is fun, too.

*Harper is sitting very still in this picture, for the first time in a long time, with the aid of her favorite website, starfall.com.  She cannot get enough of her ABCs, and I cannot get my computer back.  Oh well, I like the ABCs, too.  The letter L is the best.  "Locks Rock!"

Lazy Summer Days

The hoopla of moving & unpacking is pretty much over.  As you can tell by the lack of posts this week, nap time finally caught up with me.  It has been muggy and warm here, perfect drizzly weather for watching Law & Order on the couch.

Harper, needless to say, is not a fan of Law & Order.  I have been meaning to get her a water table.  She has a slight fear of baby pools, and we need something to fill this crazy big yard.  We have not made it to Toys R Us yet, so I put some water in three bowls.  It provided a day of fun.  Awe, yes.  Simplicity rocks.  

It was all good clean fun till she found a baby sized boulder to 'wash' and hug.  All and all, it really was not the muddy delight I anticipated, as Harper grows daintier by the day.    

But, she is still a sweet wild child, still far from dainty.

Hot Fried Dough

We are on a quest for a toy box.  Something that will not pinch Harper's fingers, or hurt my eyes.  So far we have seen one we like, but it costs more than all her toys combined x 2.  

Inspired by paper oranges, our search led us to the White Elephant Flee Market in New Milford on Sunday.  Every booth had something we wanted, really, row upon row of itty bitty bits of wonderful.  And, only toy chests that are guaranteed to pinch little fingers.  We left empty handed, but with full and happy bellies.

There is nothing like fried dough drowning in powdered sugar on a hot day.  It made the trip out more than worth it.  

Now Open, again

Ah, and we are back.  Buttermilk Bake Shop is open.  In case you missed us, we have new treats for you.  You may remember my birthday cookies, Peanut Butter Oreos and Altoid Oreos?  Now they are your cookies, too.  Introducing...

Milk's BFF (Oreos 3 Ways), a delightful pack of Peanut Butter, Altoid, and Traditional Oreos.  Or, if you feel ready to make the commitment to one flavor, our Homemade Oreos are also available in Peanut Butter or Altoid.  Decisions, decisions.