Astrid & Lisbeth

🎂CELEBRATING ASTRID & LISBETH🎁

Birthday Party Time

Astrid and Lisbeth were just kittens and the youngest of the Kitties Blue when I began The Cat on My Head. They turned one year old a month later. I thought it would be fun to share a few of the birthday cards I made for them in past years.

Collage of past birthday cards celebrating birthday of Astrid (tortoise shell cat) and Lisbeth (tuxie cat).

Here is their birthday card for this year.

2022 birthday card celebrating Astrid (tortie) and Lisbeth (tuxie cat).

If you are unfamiliar with Astrid and Lisbeth’s story, you can check it out on The Felines page by clicking the tab at the top of this page. The short version is that they were both born on August 17, 2011, but they are not related. They were, however, raised together along with Lisbeth’s littermates and Astrid’s brother, Bobby, by Lisbeth’s mother.

Cooper Murphy, of course, made them a special cake.

Lisbeth & Astrid's birthday cake feature a star and a crown.

Please join our birthday girls and all the Kitties Blue as we celebrate. We have the cake as well as shrimp, nip ice cream, champagne and berry ice tea.

Thanks for joining our celebration today.

Black Cat Appreciation Day

Before signing off, we’d like to give a shout out to all our black cat friends, as today is Black Cat Appreciation Day. Years ago we had two black cats, Thelma and Twinkle. I’ve wanted another black cat for many years, but it has just never happened. But I still appreciate their beauty. Best wishes to every black cat everywhere.

BELATED BIRTHDAY BASH

Happy 10th Birthday Astrid & Lisbeth

belated birthday

Yesterday was actually the girls’ birthday. To say that they are more than a little miffed at giving up their day to Periwinkle and Stinky is an understatement! Nonetheless, they have agreed to celebrate today. And you all are invited to join us.

Can you even believe how tiny they were in that center photo above? They were less than a year old when I began the blog. In fact, they celebrated their very first birthday here. If you are interested in seeing that post, which is also about my observations with reference the personalities of kittens versus cats, click here to read “Angels, Lisbeth & Astrid, Turn One.”

Anyhoo, while Mau was here on the weekend, Astrid asked him to make a cake, and he happily agreed. Astrid loved her big brother dearly. And, as usual, Mau outdid himself.

To accompany the cake, we have nip ice cream, pink champagne and berry iced tea. Please help yourselves.

Lisbeth and Astrid received beautiful e-cards from Lisbeth’s boyfriend, Angel Charles’, family. Lisbeth also received a box in the mail with cards for her and Astrid and filled with toys and gifts from Charles’ mom. Mom Inge has never left Astrid out when it has come to birthday gifts so their were goodies for both of them. The girls have promised to share photos tomorrow on our Thankful Thursday post.

Please stay and party as long as you like. All the Kitties Blue enjoy having company and entertaining.

Though, we’ve been wordy, Lisbeth and Astrid are going to join the Wordless Wednesday blog hop hosted by Comedy Plus. You can do the same by clicking on the WW badge.

August 18, 2021 by Janet Blue Astrid & Lisbeth Birthday Lisbeth and Charles Wordless Wednesday 22

🎂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ASTRID & LISBETH 🎂

Ninth Birthday Celebration

Yesterday was the actual birthday of Lisbeth and Astrid.

Astrid took full advantage of that and spent lots of time in my lap being scritched and petted the entire time. And she purred non-stop.

Lisbeth received a package from her sweet and thoughtful boyfriend Charles. She promises to share about that on our Thankful Thursday post.

The girls received this nice card from the gang at Tomcat Commentary by Tim: Timmy, Einstein, Rumpy, Toby and Miss Fitz.

Party Time

Cooper Murphy has taken over Mau’s Cat Scout Bake Shop, so he was responsible for making the cake for today. He’s still learning the craft, but I think he did a darn good job.

We have a variety of noms and drinks, so please help yourselves.

Birthday Wish

I asked Lisbeth and Astrid if there was anything special they would like for their birthday. They told me they have two wishes. The first is for all our friends, followers and supporters to continue to purr, pray and send POTP to their little brother Sawyer. For their second wish, they would like you to visit the Friends Furever blog today and check in on “The Adventures of Periwinkle & Stinky.”

Thank you for celebrating with us.

August 18, 2020 by Janet Blue Astrid & Lisbeth Birthday The Adventures of Stinky & Periwinkle 20

REJOICE IN NATURE & BEING ALIVE

Sparks

Saturday and yesterday we had some unseasonably cooler weather. That finally gave me the opportunity to do some much needed yard work. I always think Sunday is a great day to be outside in nature enjoying the beautiful world God created for us. With climate change, the days that are neither too hot nor too cold for me to go outside decrease each year, so I am always delighted when I get the opportunity. It is the enjoyment I felt that prompted today’s Spark, which is accompanied by one of Dad Tom’s photos.

The author of today’s Spark, Eleonora Giulia Amalia Duse, often simply known as Duse (ˈduːze) was an Italian actress. She lived from 1858 to 1924. She is regarded as one of the greatest actresses of all time and is the subject of the 1947 biographical film, titled, Eleonora Duse.

Sparks began as a blog hop, created by our friend, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader). Annie has been taking a “break” from blogging, so there is no hop. Unfortunately, during this break, Annie has been the victim of a hacker. This has continued to keep her off-line and caused her much distress. Please continue to send prayers to Annie and her family as they work to get their lives back to normal.

Many of us believe in Annie’s vision: “If we allow our light to shine, we can see where we are going. It is then that we can begin to truly see each other clearly. Together, we can light up the entire world!”

Awww Mondays

In yesterday’s Sunday Selfie post, Astrid mentioned that Lisbeth was on the cat tree staring at her while she was taking her selfie. I thought you all might enjoy a look at the expression on Lisbeth’s face…a double whammy…scowling stink-eye! (She does, however, have great cheekbones!) Where and when their relationship deteriorated, I have no idea.

I am not certain this photo will get an “awww” from anyone. Nevertheless, Lisbeth is entering the Awww Mondays blog hop at Comedy Plus. To hang out with her there, click on the badge below. And have a happy start to your week.

August 26, 2019 by Janet Blue Astrid & Lisbeth Awww Mondays Dad Tom's Photography Sparks 18

BIRTHDAY ART WITH ASTRID & LISBETH

Caturday Art

Two special girls are turning eight today. It seemed appropriate that they should be the focus of our art for today’s blog hop. I couldn’t resist using one of the first photos taken after they joined the Kitties Blue family. Unlike now, they were inseparable.

I used the Bubbly effect from Painnt and changed the original hue of the effect. The flower border is from piZap.

This being a birthday celebration, we, of course, have a cake created by Mau in his Cat Scout Bake Shop.

We also are serving nip ice cream and champagne. So please join us in a birthday toast to Astrid and Lisbeth followed by some sugary noms.

Please stay as long as you like. In fact, why not hang around until tomorrow when we will be having yet another celebration. Tomorrow marks the fifth anniversary of our Sunday Selfies blog hop. If you get those selfies ready now, you won’t have to rush home Sunday morning to snap them. The kitties have convinced me to have a giveaway with some things for both the two-legger and four-legger(s). To change things up a bit, the winner will be selected using Random.org from those entering the hop. (One entry per family.)

Astrid and Lisbeth are joining the Caturday Art blog hop hosted by Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty. To join the hop or view the art work from your fellow bloggers, click on Athena’s badge.

Hope to see lots and lots of you visiting today and tomorrow.

August 17, 2019 by Janet Blue Astrid & Lisbeth Birthday Caturday Art Blog Hop 25

LISBETH’S BEST BIRTHDAY EVER

Tuxie Tuesday

I have the most thoughtful and generous boyfriend in the entire universe. For my birthday last week, Charles sent me a big box of goodies. And he even sent some toys for the other Kitties Blue. Here are a few photos of me investigating everything.

Check out the super cool fish bed and how adorable I look in it. Astrid, however, thinks all beds belong to her, and she demanded a try out before I had the opportunity. She got her cooties all over it! I snuggled in when she got out. Afterwards I had to give myself a good bath to get rid of those tortie cooties.

Here’s the proof of her cheekiness!

Astrid’s bed hogging aside, I am such a fortunate kitty to have the most wonderful boyfriend in the world. I love him very much.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lisbeth (with kisses for Charles)

p.s. Isn’t he handsome?!

August 21, 2018 by Janet Blue Astrid & Lisbeth Birthday Kitty Written Blog Lisbeth and Charles Tuxie Tuesday 21

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY ASTRID & LISBETH

Birthday Edition: Friendly Fill-Ins

Friendly Fill-Ins is a blog hop hosted by Ellen (15 And Meowing) and Lorianne (Four-Legged Furballs). Sentences to be completed can be found on their blogs each Thursday. To join the hop, click on the link to either of their blogs.

As Astrid and Lisbeth are celebrating their seventh birthdays today, the remainder of the Kitties Blue crew decided they could complete this week’s fill-ins. Their completions are in teal italics.

Lisbeth: 1. I am going to give Calista Jo a great big smack right into next year the next time she bothers me. She got all up in my face yesterday, and I had to retreat UTB.

Astrid: 2. I want to be more assertive and not let Misty May bully me.

Astrid: 3. Once in a blue moon, I enjoy getting in bed with Mom in the morning and nuzzling into her neck.

Lisbeth: 4. I have a large collection of toys; though, I do have to share them with the entire Kitties Blue crew. I did, however, get a big box in the mail yesterday from my sweet and thoughtful boyfriend Charles. I get to open it today, and I do not intend to share whatever I find inside.

Celebrating

I absolutely love seeing these kitten photos taken of the girls while they were in foster care. Lisbeth’s name at the time was Cary and Astrid was Tabitha.

As he does for all his fursibs, Mau made a cake for the girls in his Cat Scout Bake Shop. Please join us for a slice or two as well as some nip bubbly and regular nip.

Thank You

The girls received a beautiful birthday card from Pipo, Minko and their mom, Ingrid (Meezer’s Mews and Terrieristical Woofs). Astrid and Lisbeth are sending their sincere thanks for the remembrance.

And finally, we are joining the Feline Friday blog hop at Comedy Plus. Click on their badge to join us there.

August 17, 2018 by Janet Blue Astrid & Lisbeth Birthday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins 27

SISTERS’ GOTCHA DAY CELEBRATED IN ART

Caturday Art

Last week baby Lisbeth had the spotlight for our Caturday Art. At the time she told you it was close to the date of our Gotcha Day in 2011. Well we popped up on Dad’s Facebook page yesterday, the 13th…our official Gotcha Day. We don’t really celebrate our Gotcha Day, as Mom and Dad know the date of our birthday. Mom decided, however, she would use that photo of us for today’s art.

We are not sure what we think of this. Lisbeth looks totally evil. Even though she isn’t always the sweetest of cats, this creation definitely doesn’t do her any favors. I think maybe Mom should have totally gone Halloween with this and given Lisbeth a witch’s hat, but I had no say in the matter.

To create this “art,” if you can call it that, Mom used Pixlr, piZap and Picasa. I’ll admit she didn’t have the best photo to start.

Neither of us look very happy, or we were extremely exhausted. And check out those ears! We both are very happy to have grown into them.

We are entering Athena Cat Goddess Wise Kitty’s Caturday Art blog hop. To join and/or find links to other art creations, click on Athena’s badge.

Sunday Selfies Reminder

Yep…it’s almost time to slap a smile on your face and snap a selfie for tomorrow’s hop. Who will be stalked, bribed or bamboozled into being your host is anybody’s guess.

We were delighted to see so many back on the hop last week. Mom didn’t do a very good job of taking us visiting last week, but life is settling down around here, and we are getting back on track. Thanks for being so patient with us.

Purrs and paw-pats, Astrid

October 14, 2017 by Janet Blue Astrid & Lisbeth Caturday Art Blog Hop Gotcha Day Kitty Written Blog Sisters 23

MEOWVOLOUS BIRTHDAY GIFTS

Birthday Gifts

I am the luckiest lady kitty in the world. I have the most wonderful and thoughtful boyfriend. Oh yes, and he is handsome too.

The day before Astrid’s and my birthday, we received a box addressed to Kitties Blue. I immediately recognized the return address; though, the name was omitted. I was anxious to open it, but Mom made us wait. It was worth it. Charles’ talented mom, Inge, made some of the gifts. There was something for me, Astrid, Mau and Mom, as well as some treats and toys to share.

Here are some photos. The first two are of me admiring my new star blanket, in my favorite colors, while Cooper Murphy looks on. Isn’t it totally gorgeous?

Astrid got her very own birthday gift as well—an owl kicker with a feathered tail. Here she is checking it out.

This next photo is of Mau in his new hat. It has bakery confections on top, including a cupcake with a cherry on top. He was not really happy wearing it, but Mom says he better get used to it. She thinks he looks adorable.

Mom’s gift was a really cute dishtowel.

Giveaway Winners

I also get to announce the winner of Astrid’s and my birthday giveaway as well as the winner of the giveaway for the book, The Book of the Cat: Cats in Art. That winner, selected by Random.org, is Stephanie B.

The winner of BlogPaws swag and The Cat on My Head goodies from our birthday giveaway is our friend, Annabelle, from Manx MNews. She too was selected by Random.org.

Mom will be contacting each of you for your mailing address.

That’s all I have to say, except to send a final thank you to Charles and Mom Inge as well as all my love to Charles.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lisbeth

August 22, 2017 by Janet Blue Astrid & Lisbeth Birthday Giveaway Kitty Written Blog 20

THANK YOU, FILL-INS & GIVEAWAYS

Friendly Fill-Ins: Week #67

It’s Friday again. Funny how that continues to happen each week. The only way I can keep track of what day of the week we are on is by which post we have to write. Even then I occasionally get messed up. Anyhoo, if it is Friday, it must be time for fill-ins. Each week, Annie (McGuffy’s Reader) and Ellen (15 And Meowing) each select two sentences for us to complete.

Kitties Bue let me complete all of them this week, as they have never been to school, like the catio better than any room in the house, and have never visited any place in our area but the vet, and they surely wouldn’t recommend that to anyone.

This is a blog hop. To enter click on the fill-ins badge. You will be whisked away to Annie’s blog, where you can enter the link to your post.

My completions, as they are each week, are in teal italics.

1. If someone were visiting my area, I would recommend a visit to the Mill Mountain Star. You can read more about it on our posts, Sharkie & Blue Visit the Star and Come Fly with Me for Sammy.

2. My favorite room in my home is the kitchen. After waiting more than 25 years, we re-invented it about six years ago. It is where we all spend the most time.

3. Back-to-school time makes me think of how I always wanted to wear new school clothes for the first day of school, but it was always too hot. I would end up roasting in a wool skirt and sweater and regret my decision.

4. My favourite year of school was probably third grade, as that is when I discovered I liked to write. I have been doing it ever since.

Thank You from Astrid & Lisbeth

Astrid and Lisbeth would like to thank everyone who came by yesterday to wish them a happy birthday. They especially want to thank Lisbeth’s boyfriend Charles for the beautiful e-cards he sent (a separate one for each girl). He also sent a box of goodies. The girls will share about that tomorrow.

They received another gorgeous card as well. This one is from one of the Three Gingersnaps, Teddy (aka Butter Bean). It features their favorite colors.

Still Time to Enter our Two Giveaways

In honor of their birthday, Astrid and Lisbeth are having a giveaway to include some items of swag from the BlogPaws Conference as well as some The Cat on My Head goodies. If you’d like an opportunity to win this giveaway, please leave a comment on the girls’ birthday post, Astrid & Lisbeth Are Birthday Girls, prior to 5 p.m. ET on Monday, August 21. The winner will be selected using Random.org and announced the following day.

Our second giveaway is for the gorgeous art book, The Book of The Cat: Cats in Art, by Angus Hyland and Caroline Roberts. For an opportunity to win a copy of The Book of the Cat, please leave a comment on our review post by clicking here. This giveaway also will end on Monday at the same time as the birthday giveaway. This giveaway is open to all readers worldwide. This winner also will be selected using Random.org and announced the following day.

See everyone again tomorrow for Caturday Art.

August 18, 2017 by Janet Blue Astrid & Lisbeth Birthday Friendly Friday Fill-Ins Giveaway 12

YOU
For Fiona

It seems like only yesterday…
You were just a kitten.
When I saw your pleading look,
I was completely smitten.

Now at only six years old,
You are getting ready to leave,
Soon you will have your wings.
I’ve already started to grieve.

You’ve fought hard for the past year,
And I’m not ready to say good-bye.
I can’t imagine you not in my life
I am so sad…today I had to cry.

I am grateful and blessed
For my six years with you.
You’ll live in my heart forever.
You’re one of the best ever Kitties Blue.

YESTERDAY

Many yesterdays have passed since
You gained your angel wings. Today
Is six months since you left us behind
To remember and mourn. Our hearts
Continue to hurt, and we miss
You as much as the day you left.
Giulietta whined from the catio
Yesterday as I worked in the yard.
I know you put her up to it. That
Was your way of getting me to,
Allow you to join me as I
Gardened. You were there with me
In spirit. With every meow
I thought of you and how much I miss
Your sweet face and disposition.
In these past few months, many friends
Have traveled your same path in your
paw-steps. I am certain you were
Waiting to greet them with purrs and hugs.
I pray you and your friends are laughing,
Frolicking and having fun together.
Picturing that makes me smile, but
Does not lessen my sadness at your
No longer being here to snuggle
And receive our love, care and kisses.
Fiona, please do not ever forget
You are still and always will be loved.

ONE YEAR MISSING YOU

One year has passed since you flew away,
And I still think of you everyday.
I see your sweet face in my mind’s eye
And wish we’d never had to say good-bye.
It’s nice you’ve sent us kitties needing a family,
But my dearest love, we are now at capacity.
You thought it would take more than one cat
To take your place in our habitat.
We love Cooper Murphy and baby Sawyer dearly
But thinking either could replace you makes me teary.
You were one-of-a-kind and will stay in my heart
Until the day I join you and we’re no longer apart.
When once again I can hold you in my arms
And revel in all your love and feline charms.
Together with you and all who have passed.
I will spend eternity contemplating how blessed
I was to share my life with my furry children,
Each and every one of you one-in-a billion.

UNTIL

I miss you each day.
Until we meet in heaven,
The pain will remain.

ONE OF A KIND

I don’t know how to say good-bye.
I thought you were invincible; though,
You used up many of your nine lives.
You ruled us all with an iron paw;
Never took “no” for an answer
And always got your way.
If not, you’d bark to signal your
Displeasure and sometimes raise a paw.
I always joked that you were bi-polar.
When I told people you were a calico
They immediately understood what I meant.
Today was unnaturally quiet in the house.
Can a home seem empty with eight cats?
I will miss waking up at night to find you
Sitting next to me and staring at me.
I will miss you yelling at us as you did
When you wanted breakfast and dinner.
I will miss watching you lounging and snoozing
On the porch settee on a warm afternoon.
But most of all I will miss your kisses!
When kitten Sawyer befriended you,
We suspect you were imparting your
Wisdom and secrets for controlling us.
Time will tell if he was a good listener.
But whatever he may have learned,
Neither Sawyer nor any other cat
Can or will replace you in our hearts.
Lily Olivia, you were one-of-a-kind.