ztina and zigne, week six

Better late than never, here's the latest (and very short alas) update on the fabulous Z sisters.

~ Soon seven weeks old, prefering dry food and minced meat over gruel, Ztina weighing around 850 grams, Zigne around 800 grams.

~ They've quickly become very apt att climbing out of the kitten crate, and in to eat their special food and visit the mini litter box. I often find them sleeping in unexpected places and with unexpected cats - their precense is marginally tolerated by some, graciously and even lovingly by others.

~ They run really fast - well, for someone that small at least - and you have to be übercareful where you put your big, heavy human feet.

~ Worth to remember (but easy to forget) is that two tiny kittens can turn a limited area into a pretty messy place in no time at all.

~They are super-kissable and even if they are very very busy most of the time I try to cuddle them as much as possible.

~ Ztina has a bolder personality, Zigne seems to be of a more precatious and contemplating nature. They both play wild and exploring games. They're much more independent than one might think, play and sleep well on each on their own. Even if, obviously, the mum and daughter trio can of S, Z and Z can as easily be found together in a blissful snoozing pile.

Big bonus of the day - look what I got from a sweet blog reader, a little perky drawing of the sisters, isn't it adorable?!

She has really captured their kitten essence and rotund appearance. *Thank you so much, Viridiana, it was such a pleasant surprise* A happy little Tuesday thing indeed.

a burt's bees treat

These past ten years or so I've become very good at treating myself to nice things. Because I'm worth it (and I thought so even before the silly commercial said so). And no it doesn't at all have to be something I buy, just having a cup of tea on a sunny porch, going for a walk in the woods even though I *should* be doing something more productive, a bouquet of tulips, baking a cake, having a foot bath or a sleep-in, those are fabulous kind treats for the self.

My recent treat, which might be a treat, but also something useful, especially on these now quite cold and dry winter days, is a trio of skincare products from fabulous organic brand Burt's Bees, now, finally available in Sweden.

The obvious reason for treating myself to this was of course the fact that I got the first assignment for Prosit, yayness - it'll last for six weeks part time and I'm pretty excited as it's right up my alley, which can also be a tad bit dangerous I suppose since I find it all absorbingly fun. But I must remind myself only to work as much as I'm paid for and keep up other things too.

And then last week was a pretty good and overall productive week as a whole. Yayness too. Yayness twice.

When I saw the shelf with all Burt's Bees stuff in the health food store there was an imminent danger of me coming home with lots of bottles. But the sensible me spoke and said I can always come back when I really really need more products. So home I came with a fabulously smelling conditioner with grapefruit (pamplemousse oh how I adore thy scent!), a baby oil perfect for dry winter skin (I hope) and a wee tin of cuticle cream which I really really enjoy since I first got one years ago.

The miracle salve for all things that need an extra treat I gave to mother, because she's even drier than me this time of the cold year.

An hey, I got me a dark navy blue nailpolish too, Essie midnight cami. And no, the irony of organic skincare in combination with a nailpolish and its most probably very less than organic ingredients isn't lost on me. I have my flaws, one of them is nailpolish treats.

Are you good at treating yourself when you've accomplished something special?

on the last january friday

It has been a crazy hectic week. Only in a good way though. Yes, pretty much only in a good way. I'd say great ways even. Good ways make those ruffles seem insignificant, easy to deal with and laugh about. Gosh, I wish life could be a bit more like that. Perhaps it's an attitude thing, perhaps the stars have aligned, properly, finally, but I have to say, I worry less (touch wood) and it feels like some invisible weight has been lifted off my shoulders. So, please, life, let this be the path for 2012 onwards.

With that weight being lifted I find things in myself that apparently have been hidden, the feeling of not having to explain why I'm here in life, what have I done, my background, being analyzed, treated in degrading manners by little people, it amazes me. Instead I'm just me, answer to noone, seeing people and meetings in another light, from a business point of view, noticing opportunities and always thinking about that useful phrase "what's the worst that can happen?" - it's simply immensely uplifting.

I've met several inspiring people this week, people that actually not only talk but act. I haven't had the pleasure and relief of having many of those in my life these past few years - inspiring and talking yes, acting, not so much. I am so glad I can brush the odd shoulder with such people regularly from now on.

And when January draws to a close I'm pleased to share that it actually looks like Prosit has it's first proper client. Not at all something I've actively looked for, it was simply a fluke and very unexpected. Though rather fun, simple  and familiar. It's all hush at the moment, but in March all will be revealed.

Next week will probably not be as hectic, but I have a few appointments. The rest of the time I will spend doing paper-work. Paper-work will be done in pink office, because yes, pink office is all finished! And as you can see, the sun is shining brightly and benevolently over it.

Not counting the dreadful door that needs painting, but that I'll do outdoors when weather permits, the window sill that needs a new costume, the lampstand and the caste that'll get a pink sprucing up, also weather permitted procedures. But that aside, only minor pimping compared to all the other major works, it's an office to be proud of, happy about and inspired by.

The downside of a hectic week - I haven't taken any photos of the fabulous kitty sisters, Ztina and Zigne, now six weeks old already. I bow my head in shame over that sad fact. But I will try my very best in redeeming that blatant negligence this weekend. I can say as much as they've grown well, they either sleep the sleep of innocence or are superactive li'l tykes, but no matter what, they're always, always super-adorable.

Wishing you a joyous, relaxing weekend ~

löv citrus tea and pomegranate lipbalm

I had two more Löv teas on my to-try-list - well, there might be more but these were the ones that sounded flavour appealing to me - when I saw that wee sweet organic shop I regularly pass by on my way home had finally re-stocked all flavours I obviously had to pop by and have a sniff. Several non-appealing sniffs and a few nice ones (although I think I've found all my favourites already; red fruits, rose, orange-cinnamon and chocolate-vanilla). The perky yellow tin with four citrus fruits was on my want-list. So I got it.

Unfortunately, for my tastebuds, it smells nicer than it tastes. A bit too lime-y for me. But I heart the tin. Of course. It's like a little sun of its own.

Next time - when one of the tins are empty, red fruits nearly is, need to refill since it's one of the best teas I've had ever, but I can see myself try another flavour, another colour. There's always room for more tea, morea colour - I think I'll try one of the wellness tins. Not a fan of herbal teas in general, but when I sniffed all those tea tins there was one that tickled my fancy, not sure which one though. Will sniff again soon.

As it happened I had just finished my balm and when I was to pay for the tea I spotted this chunky sized organic one from Swedish company Lilla Bruket (~Little Mill, Little Works). Main ingredients coconut and pomegranate. Heart the simple design and its generous size. It smelled nice and I have to say it smells even nicer when you put it on. So far I enjoy it very much.

A pretty sunny tin, good tea - even if not as great as the other flavours - and a decent lip balm. Almost everything a gal needs on a very wintry day.

strawberries in snow

Not to worry, it's not as strange and unwanted as wild strawberries growing outdoors in December, it's just me very much enjoying the light we've had since the snow fell the other day. Yesterday it was Ms Strawberry with friends, today it's a rekindle with amigurumi. It's been a while.

I made a few more strawberries and before two of them move to their new home tomorrow I thought it would be nice to let them play outdoors, enjoy the snow a bit. Not sure they enjoyed it though, but they looked nice.

Next time I feel the urge to make a few more strawberries I think I'll go a bit mad - more than usual that is - and make them in psychedelic combos, like the mushrooms, the weirdness of strawberries, or 'genetically modified strawberries' might be a better name for them.

Imagine, 'only' four-five months and there'll be real edible, locally cultivated strawberries. Oh the delight!

mr broccoli, ms strawberry, mr carrot and naked bobbaloos

With snow comes an abundance of light and opportunities for photo sessions. The three larger fellas in this photos have been biding their photo op time since a few months now, since they arrived as a lovelt gift - time to meet Mr Broccoli (previously seen posing with blue boots), Ms Strawberry and Mr Carrot.

A dreadfully fine trio from a place I'm not a fan of, ya' know, very blue and yellow, IKEA. But I can't help but being completely, happily smitten by these three. Everyone needs more vegetables in life and next to eating them, what can be better than cuddle with them?

The tiny two fellas are my latest bobbaloo settlers. If you are of a delicate nature I suggest you either cover your eyes or stop reading here. Because they are indeed naked.

And in snow. Say hallo to Bumley, the jacabob, and Yay (Jaybird, but I'm all for yayness so Yay it'll be), the jacabunny. They've already been out and about visiting cafés and such, causing quite the nude chock - nope us Swedes are not nearly as liberal as you might think - amongst cakes and cookies.

 

Happy Tuesday all ~

random sunday musings

Life is a lot about thinking right now - and kittens plus blue boots, oh how I adore them all in their own ways - so here goes another post on this and that ~

:: Enjoyed reading your different views on blogging and blogetiquette the other day very much. And yes, to put it plainly, as someone clever said, "do what is right for you, blogging isn't an obligation".


:: I find it mind-baffling that someone I know reasonably well refuses to text or call me on my *new* mobile phone number, contact me at home or via email, or Facebook for that matter. Instead she keeps using my old mobile phone number, the one that noone I care about uses anymore.

I've had the iPhone for nearly two years now, I've repeatedly told her to use that number. When I on the very odd occasion check it I find strange sms:s she left there months ago. We've known eachother for, let's see... 16 years now. At times a friend, others an acquaintance and for longer periods we haven't had any contact at all. She is, shall we say, a peculiar kind of person, caring and kind, creative and fun, but also at times showing other not nearly as nice features if you rub her the wrong way. Well, at least she suddenly insists it to be the wrong way.

The last time we had any real contact was rather awkward and her acting like this doesn't really make me want to revitalize our ... acquaintanceship. I don't need any more weirdness in my life. Not the energy absorbing kind that this would be. And once again, I ponder the thing about friends for different occasions.


:: Today I overcame a great hurdle, something I've been dreading for months now - I finally went and got my picture taken in a photo machine (I emptied my piggy bank for it, but hey, photo machines of today apparently only takes credit cards. Wow, it really is modern days of our lives).

And despite me really, really hating this, having my picture taken, as I mentioned before, and having braced myself for having to take loads of x4 photos, it turned out the very first one was good. Quite good, and I'm really super-critical and annoyed about pictures of me so if I deem them quiet good I think they're alright. I was so surprised about that when I spotted it in pre-view mode I inadvertently made a weird face in the second pic, but the latter two were also alright. The dotty spectacles helped a lot.

So tomorrow I'll head to the bank and get a new ID-card. If they deem the pictures ID-card-worthy (size, shadows, visible pupils etc) that is.

And this I have dreaded for months. The utter silliness.


:: The first really job-related meeting I had last week was a really good one. No it wasn't the dream-client I mentioned - that'll hopefully be next month, touch wood and all that - but an old job contact, which will hopefully lead to new good contacts and contracts. Yes it really was a good meeting, over a cup of tea and scones in a pretty tea room. My kind of job meeting indeed.


:: I'm thinking that photogenique cats and kittens ought to be concidered a work-related, deductible stock-in-trade. I'm thinking sister Almost White and sister Dotty Red are perfect photographical stock-in-trades. The more I think about it the more sense it makes, wouldn't you agree? I really have the best of opportunities to work with their abilities and temperament right from the start, I always have, but still, now I'm thinking about it from a slightly different angle.

It would be a relief not having to even think about the selling of li'l ms Dotty Red, since she then already has her future set as a Prosit representative. Not having to separate the two peas in a pod, one red, one almost white.

I mean, creative, intellectual people do enjoy the company of cats, they are inspirational as well as soul soothing when needed. Wouldn't it be perfect somehow, that the company of Prosit would have two tiny furbabies as spokecatpersons, groomed the part right from the start? Not that I would go all crazy-cat-lady of course, but I find the sheer idea of spokekittens rather exhilarating and amusing.

And actually, I am thinking of a logotype that would be a good symbol for Prosit, what I am and what I'll bring to a client - not a cat, silly - but the things that a cat stands for. Ah, this could be a neat idea me thinks. Brought to blog under the influence by Ztina and Zigne, or Ord and Bild if you will.


:: Yesterday I bought three cans of spray paint, three shades of pink. My plan is to A) paint this case shelf - I know that wasn't my original intention, but its not an antique piece, I'll use it in my office, dark furnitures have no room in there and it really needs to be transformed into something happy looking. It has waited for its new purposes for plus two years. It is time.

B) to paint this curvaceous lamp-stand. It was my original intention to do so when I charity shop bought it plus one year ago. And make a new shade for it. I still haven't gotten around to it, the shade kind of grew on me - after all it's pink - and it's been standing beside the TV awaiting its destiny.

The idea was to find a similar lamp-stand for the pink office, to repaint it and make a new shade. And have it as a reading lamp by the armchair (which will also enjoy the company of the granny square footstool). Finding the right kind of lamp-stand is however trickier than you might think, they're probably quite sought after these days.

So, I'll spraypaint this one, better late than never, and use it as an office-stand-in-lamp-stand - or maybe it'll be more comfortable in there, who knows. A new shade it'll get too, I've had a few fabulastic ideas cooking for a while now, one of them it will be. (But I'll save this current pink shade for special occasions or the living room life.)

Since snow fell in an abundance today - I can't help but thinking that these soft, supersized snowflakes that create a silent, winter wonderland with reasonable temperatures only around zero are really really beautiful. I may not think so if it gets colder, icier, creates a public transportation mess and give me hellish electrical bills for months, but for now, for a while, let me declare winter bliss - I won't be doing any spraypainting outdoors until temperatures and weather allow. But as soon as it does, hello pink caste, hello pink lamp-stand.


:: Pretty much the rest of the office is now painted in pink also. Tomorrow I'll do a second coat. A few odd corners and holes that need more extensive plastering will hopefully be done next weekend. Then all the walls are finished!

Oh, then someone (not so) clever once upon a time thought it was a fantastic idea to wallpaper the outside of the closet door. Thus it looks the same rubbish as the walls used to and need painting. I would love to go all applegreen on it, but I think a pale lavender hue would emit a more tranquil and seamless feeling with the pink walls. So that it will be.

And then there's the tired, worn ol' marble window sill in dark grey. It needs either a few coats of paint or a plastic cover film. Since I'm in painting mood the paint idea seems nicer, though a cover film in a cute pattern would be rather pleasing.


:: Doing all this painting and refurbishing has made me thinking about other projects I've been pondering for years. Home improvement projects I can perform myself for a reasonable sum of money. With Rutger moving to my mum - yes he's doing fine, although he probably needs time to adjust to the fact that he is not a fertile mister anymore, but a neuter consultant and calm down with his plucky behaviour towards his brother and mother - there's another room liberated. A room I've been thinking of repainting ever since we moved here 10 years ago (last December 19). Now-ish is finally the time.

I was thinking green, but with the pink paint leftovers from the office space I'll probably use that. But only for three walls, the fourth will be wallpapered. I'm thinking this birdie and flower one would be wonderful, but I 'm not interested in splurging the money it'll probably cost. This butterfly wallpaper is gorgeous too - but probably also a costly alternative. So I'm looking for more affordable alternatives.


:: I need to be a more demanding boss this week. January is almost over, time to stop semi-slacking.

zigne and ztina, week five

The day they turned four weeks old they got to try gruel from a plate for the first time, it went down well and with surprisingly little mess. Afterwards they sat their tiny behind in their little litter box and made a wee pee, no instructions needed. In other words, they were exemplary kittens.

Since then they've also made wee poos and a mess with the food - because clearly it's best eaten sitting in the plate, Ztinas paws are the soggiest wee ones in town.

I'm glad they still have their own crate world - though I suspect it won't be long until they'll manage to climb over the wooden walls of that limited miniature world -where they can be put to eat-sleep-litter-boxing. But when I'm at home they get to spend time in the big world, with the big cats - who are generally quite annoyed at them li'l frisky fellas, where's the dignity, where's the peace? -

loaf dog - who's actually semi-scared of the wee squeaking ones, clearly they're not toys of the proper kind, so what are they doing here, he says while skulking hiding under sofa. He's not at all acting like he used to when kittens were around, maybe four year is a very, very long time from a loafie memory's point of view - and us.

At the tender age of 4,5 weeks they began begun nibbling at mama cat's dry food and they are overall very well fed, well rotund (weighing some 500 grams plus now), tubby kissable tummies with thick li'l legs and big paws, happy, cuddly, curious, mischievous, playful, adorable, teddybearish looking, just like any perfect little british shorthair should be. I am so much more than well chuffed about their wee beings in residence.

My plan has always been to keep one of the kittens born in this litter and first born Ztina with her amazing coat colour and minuscule polar bear appearance is the one. (And she really, really isn't as timid and unobtrusive as she may seem...) But redspotted Zigne, who will (edit - probably, possibly, maybe, likely...) be for sale to the perfect, right, loving, special family (edit - and they have to be really, really special...) is an amazing little character of cuddly irresistable sweetness.

During all those years of having a kitten litter now and then I've only cried twice and deeply regreted the sales initially, due to their very special catonalities - they moved to good homes, had long, spoilt lives, it was just me missing them and their special ways those first days. I'm hoping the case with Zigne and her planned move will not be a case of many tears. Ah, many weeks still, will just enjoy them wee tiddlers in the here and now.

 

Happy weekend, one and all!

wednesday musings

:: So far I've been a semi-strict boss - in the semi-finished office above - to self this week. I've made a few phone calls in-the-name-of-the-company - remember me being an odd phoney so it's a big thing - including talking to a dream-client (and was asked to call back next month, thus plenty of time to prepare, oh the joy, the borderline delirium afterwards). Booked a meeting. Prepared for a meeting. Am going to a meeting. Have written, will write.


:: I celebrated the phone-calls with the baking of a gingerbread cheesecake with pomegranate - it was de-lovely, but with forgetting to set the timer I dabbled with time and it would probably be even nicer with less baking. Next time...

:: I don't think I'll be celebrating every phone-call from now on with the baking of cakes. There's only so much cake a gal can eat and share. Really.


:: Reading blogposts about doing big clean-ups in the blog reader I've thought a bit about leaving comments, not leaving comments, the notion of reciprocating, replying to comments, blog-etiquette (if there is such a thing) and expectations.

When I began blogging I don't think I really expected comments, blogging in Sweden wasn't that big then, I think I wrote for myself, it was a good ventilator, a diary for real. I wrote a lot of nonsense and silliness back then - like I neeever do now of course... - but I don't think I've removed any of those old, sillier posts, I was a few years younger, perhaps I wasn't sure about how to express myself to a potential online world, so I wrote ackamarackus. Remove it would be a bit like denying who I was then, in a way I suppose. So it's there, even though I'm not the same person then as I am now.

I slightly digress, because what I wanted to say was that back in those early blogging days I did make a proper effort to always reply to comments left, if only with a "thank you" - and reciprocate (if possible). But that's (unfortunately, as I think it's a nice gesture still) not something I'm prioritizing anymore, even if my aim is to do it still. I do hope everyone reading/commenting knows how much I appreciate every. single. sweet. comment despite that?

Blogging, as life, is also full of different people, differing views, likes and dislikes. I might read and enjoy your blog, leave comments now and then, but you find no interest or joy in mine or at least the notion of reciprocating commentwise is not in your realm of blogging. Or the other way around. I am usually fine with that. I show my appreciation, you show your appreciation, but we may not click as such.

But sometimes I do get annoyed with the so called "very popular blogs" (which I rarely read, but I have a few of them in my reader for various reasons) as there are often, imho, tendencies of hoity-toitiness and frankly, I get bored, they repeat themselves, "their" ideas are deemed inspirational, but hey there are a zillion of blogs out there less popular who've already been there-done that and are very much read-worthy. I've also noticed many of them have adopted the same style of writing, fairly often acknowledging eachother for their respective inspirational awesomeness, forming a club of intermutual admiration. It's rather amusing in a way, but yes, equally boring in the long run.

I think the icing on the nuisance cake was one of the popular bloggers expressing a disappointment the other day over the lack of response/comments to her latest post thus keeping the subject short from now on. Seriously. I write, I blog because I. Have. To. I don't adjust my subjects/posts to what I think will attract most readers, get more comments. If that's what blogging is to you, then thank you, but no thank you.

I think I'll go and cleanse my feed reader too now. It may not be as cathartic as cleaning your house, your life of excess stuff, but still, the annoyance factor in life will get a tad bit smaller.

Do you have firm opinions on dos and don'ts in blogging and the blogosphere? Care to share them?


:: A couple of months ago I realised it was that time again. That time being getting a new identity-card, the big issue being taking a photo for said card. I know you're supposedly able to make those photos yourself online these days, but getting the proportions and details required correct seems a bit dubious, so a photo machine it will be. Can't stand the idea of going to a photographer for this, because seriously, I. do. so. hate having my picture taken when I can't control the outcome the least bit and having to fuss with how unsatisfied I am with result with a photographer over a measly identity-card photo - gah.

Thus I'm looking for a photo machine, preferably in a quiet location, where I can fume over the unsatisfying result in peace. Apparently a photo machine is a tricky thing to find these days - I used to love taking pictures in them when I was a kid/teenager and they were seemingly everywhere then - but I've located a few in the vicinity of Stockholm. Will have to go brave my demons soon, very soon. Probably this week. At least I have my dotty glasses to hide behind this time.

It's not as if you use that identity-card very often these days, but when you do, you really do. It's just weird to carry one's passport around for that. And well, if my current identity-card photo wasn't bad enough, the passport one is even worse. Plus I need a new passport very soon too. As one has to take the passport photo at the police that issues it these days, the notion of the "are you happy with this picture? - no - are you happy with this one? - no, I still look like a crazy hag"-conversation at the police station doesn't really fill me with joyous anticipation.


:: It may be flattering to have "the Getty Images team having noticed" my work on Flickr and being offered "an invitation-only service for Flickr members to license their photos for commercial use." But the idea of stock photo, exclusivity and the vagueness of pricing - no I will not sign up. 


:: I just know there were more things I'd thought of jotting down in this post, but they're nowhere to be found at the moment, at least not in reach within the head of undersigned.

So instead I'll finish this post of on a lighter note, as it begun if you will. Ztina and Zigne, 4,5 weeks old, pure candy joy for the eye and mind. More of them tomorrow. Beware of cuteness overload.