Awards

THANKFUL THURSDAY MELANGE

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One Lovely Blog Award

We want to thank our furiends Cat Scout Shoko and fursib Kali from The Canadian Cats for the One Lovely Blog Award.

To accept this award we must tell you seven things about ourselves. (As always we will give eight answers so we all can pawticipate.) We don’t think there is a darn thing about us you don’t already know. Would it be okay if we share some actual and true facts as well as make some things up? It will be much more amusing. If you are bored, you can try to guess which are true and which are not.

1. Lily Olivia: I have applied for a patent on my recently invented bacon-flavored, edible underwear for cats.

2. Misty May: My best furiend is a stuffed bear named Snuffles.

3. Mauricio: I bite my toenails!

4. Giulietta: I am not afraid of the vacuum cleaner.

5. Fiona: I usually miss breakfast because I hide UTB while all the other kitties head downstairs to eat.

6. Astrid: I once auditioned for the part of The Cheshire Cat in an operatic version of “Alice in Wonderland.”

7. Lisbeth: One of the things on my Bucket List is to go zip lining.

8. Calista Jo: My name was Josette (Josie) when our humans adopted me.

We will now pay the honor forward by nominating eight of our bloggy furiends:

♦ Animal Shelter Volunteer Life ♦ Bailey Boat Cat ♦ Brian’s Home ♦ CATachresis ♦ 

♦ Eric & Flynn’s Adventures ♦ Lone Star Cats ♦ Tomcat Commentary by Tim ♦ 15 & Meowing ♦

Prize Winners

We recently won some cool prizes from 15 & Meowing and want to say, “thank you.” When the envelope arrived, Lily Olivia immediately pounced on it. She wouldn’t leave it alone until Mom opened the package and gave her a cute crocheted, nip-filled “pumpkin” toy. She immediately took off with it, and we haven’t seen it since.

 

PrizePrize

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Birthday Card

Finally, Mau & Misty May received this colorful and special card from Timmy, Einstein, Rumpy, Miss Fitz, Toby, Mr. Buttons and Buddy-Budd at Tomcat Commentary by Tim. Thanks gang! If Mom doesn’t fall down on the job again, Mauricio will report tomorrow about his Cat Scout Surprise Birthday party.

 photo 09-17-14MauricioampMistyMaeHappyBirthday.jpg

Purrs and pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth & Calista Jo

 

MONDAY MEOWSINGS POTPOURRI

Siblings, Mauricio and Misty May, were great snugglers when they were babies. Not so much anymore!

Upcoming Birthday Celebration

If you have The Cat Blogosphere calendar and remembered to turn the page today, you saw Mauricio and Misty May when they were itty bitty kittens. (The photo here is from the same time.) When we adopted the brother and sister, we dubbed them “The Babies” to differentiate them from the other older kitties. They are babies no more! On the 17th they turn ten years old.

 

You are invited to join us for a party on Wednesday that will include a giveaway from Pookapet. (You can read about this cool company tomorrow in our Tortie Tuesday post.) And we will have a comment-a-thon with proceeds going to the rescue or shelter chosen by the winner of a Random.org drawing.

 

Butterfly Light Award

Butterfly Light Award

A few days ago we received and passed on the Butterfly Light Award. We are now giving this to another blog: McGuffy’s Reader. This is my very favorite non-animal-centric blog; though, three kitties (Maggie P., Grizelda and Chloe Jo) and one woofie (Stella) are part of the household. McGuffy’s Reader is normally an award-free blog, but McGuffy Ann is making an exception for this award. If you are unfamiliar with her blog, please take this opportunity to visit.

 

Sunday Selfies

Yesterday’s Blog Hop was a huge success. Thanks to everyone who entered a selfie as well as supported and promoted the Hop. It is such an excellent way to make new friends. We’ll be doing it again next week, and even if you usually enter other blog hops that day or like to spend an Easy Sunday, you can still enter.
 

CatLadyPaints

Saint Cat

Saint Cat

Finally, please don’t forget that you can still order a print by Katzy from CatLadyPaints and receive a discount. To receive 20 percent off through September 20, visit the CatLadyPaints Etsy shop and use the code CATHEAD20.

 

 

THANKFUL THURSDAY: BUTTERFLY LIGHT AWARD

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Butterfly Light Award

 

We are so proud and excited to show you The Butterfly Light Award we received from Sophie and Mom Beverly from moggiepurrs. This award was originally given to Don Charisma as a thank you from Belinda (the idiot writer) when he helped fix her computer.

Conditions For Accepting The Award

1. Write an acceptance post, making sure you link back to the blogger who awarded you and thank them. You MAY NOT lump this award in with a batch of other awards. Thanks so much Beverly and Sophie for this Butterfly Light Award. You are great friends. The link to your blog is above.

2. Individually name and re-award to a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 9,999,999 bloggers. You must let them know either personally with a comment on their blog OR a pingback.

Here are the bloggers I’m nominating for the Butterfly Light Award. They have spread the light to me and so many others on many occasions. I have selected them for their continued support of their fellow bloggers and for the help they give to animals with special needs or medical problems and/or their work to find forever homes for kitties without ones.

Animal Shelter Volunteer Life

Cat in the Fridge

Kitty Cat Chronicles

Savannah’s Paw Tracks

A Tonk’s Tail

Brian’s Home

 

3. Link back to Belinda’s blog either to http://idiotwriting.wordpress.com/2014/03/13/i-love-charismatic-geeks/ OR http://idiotwriting.wordpress.com/about/

4. Write a short paragraph – Entitled either “How I’m Spreading Light” OR “How I’m A Positive Influence”

This is one of those things I find hard to do as I consider it rather self-centered. I sort of think that the nominator should write it about their nominee, but if you know me at all, you know I am a rule follower; even though, my kitties are not. So here is my paragraph.

How I’m Spreading Light: Does writing a mostly light-hearted blog count? Seriously, Mauricio and I participate in Service Projects through Cat Scouts, which includes sending birthday and holiday cards to individuals in three different health-care-related facilities. I do try to help newer bloggers when they have questions or problems I have encountered and solved. And I do donate time and money to rescues, shelters and individual kitties.

5. Display Belinda’s lovely “Butterfly Light Award” badge on your blog, which you can see above.

So that’s it for the Butterfly Light Award, but while we are being thankful, we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to all of you who supported, participated in and commented on the last Sunday Selfies Blog Hop. You could have knocked me over with a whisker when I saw how many joined us. We will be doing it again this upcoming Sunday. Please join us and if you have the opportunity, let others know about it.

For those of you with an iPhone or iPad, Mom Emily from Kitty Cat Chronicles has told me about an application called MeowSnap. It is made specifically so kitties can take their own photos. It costs $1.99. I have downloaded it onto my phone, but the kitties haven’t tried it yet as we already have our selfie for this upcoming Sunday. KCC’s Sophie used it to take her selfie for last Sunday’s Hop.

Finally, thanks to all of you who have signed up to follow us on Twitter.

THANKFUL THURSDAY: BEST BIRTHDAY GIFTS EVER

A few days after her birthday, Astrid received a goody-filled box in the mail from her inamorato, Sampy from Kitty Cat Chronicles.

He is so thoughtful, sending her a big jar of her favorite treats, Pounce, which we can no longer find in our area. He also sent some great toys, which you can see in the photos. But best of all (included in the card on which he left his paw print in Astrid’s favorite color, purple) was his actual furs imbedded with catnip. Guess which of the birthday gifts Astrid liked best?

 

Astrid with Sampy furs

Astrid surrounded by her gifts and checking out Sampy’s nippy furs.

According to Sampy, the cheetah ball with the feathers (foreground left) is one of his favorite toys. I do have photos on my iPhone of Astrid playing with hers. Unfortunately, my phone has died, so I will show those to you at another time.

 

Card showing Sampy's paw print.

Card showing Sampy’s paw print.

Astrid is standing on the card’s printed message: Because of you, I even smile in my sleep. Among other things, Sampy wrote, “I know this is true because Mom and Dad have told me.” How sweet is that? Sampy said some other lovely things, but Astrid says she prefers not to share these with everybody. Though, if you look closely at the photos, you can easily read the card.

 

Mau photo bombs Astrid, and she tries to whap him.

Wanting to check out her birthday gifts, Mau photo bombs Astrid. She gives him the stink eye and tries to whap him.

Astrid was thrilled with all her birthday gifts and is sending Sampy more kisses than he can even imagine.

 

Astrid gets the gifts, and Lily Olivia gets the box.

Astrid gets the birthday gifts, and Lily Olivia claims the box.

 

 

teasernewfirstguesserIn other news, I am thankful, surprised and delighted that we received the First Right Guesser Award from Sammy (onespoiledcat) yesterday. I only knew the answer first one other time, but figured I was wrong so didn’t guess. I am proud to display Sammy’s newly designed award!

 

 

 

 

If you haven’t entered our CatLadyPaints giveaway for a print by Katzy, click here to do so. Leave a comment on yesterday’s post, letting me know which one of the above three prints you would be interested in receiving. The winner will be selected using Random.org. Those leaving a comment (one per person please) by September 1 at 8 p.m. EDT will be included in the drawing. The winner will be announced the following day.

Also, please mark your calendars for August 29 for the Memorial Service for Sparkle the Designer Cat.

"Cats come and go without ever leaving." ~ Martha Curtis. June 24, 2002 - August 21, 2014, In Memoriam, Sparkle the Designer Cat. The honor of your presence is requested at a memorial service to celebrate and remember Sparkle's life. Friday, August 29, 2014, all day, at www.sparklecat.com. There will be a commenthon, with $1 for each comment being donated to Tabby's Place, up to $500. In lieu of flowers, you may also make your own donation in Sparkle's honor to Tabby's Place.

AN ABUNDANCE OF AWARDS

We would like to thank Sophie and Mom Beverly from moggiespurrs for sharing all of these great awards with us. Her generosity is unsurpassed and greatly appreciated.

The Award for Love and Kindnessaward-loveandkindness

The Rules:
1. Share an act of kindness another blogger has done for you. Brian and Dad Terry (Brian’s Home) were always willing to help me when I first started blogging and had questions about WordPress. I am passing this award on to them, however, for all they do to help kitties find homes through the blog, Forever Home Wanted.
2. Thank the person who nominated you for the award, and link back to their blog.
3. Nominate those bloggers whom you feel practice Kindness and Love — you choose how many! All of my nominees are at the bottom of this post.

 

wonderful-readership-award1

Wonderful Team Member Readership Award

The creator of this award said: “As bloggers, we are also readers.
That is a part of blogging as listening is a part of speaking.”

The Rules:
1. Show appreciation of the blogger who nominated you, and link back to them in your post. 
2. Add the award logo to your blog. 
3. Share 7 things about yourself. I usually share things about the kitties, but I have decided to share some things about myself for a change.

  1. The only time I had a nickname prior to getting married was in high school. I was called Allison after the character played my Mia Farrow on the TV drama Peyton Pace.
  2. My favorite word is serendipity.
  3. The one thing that makes me very angry is stupidity.
  4. I was Editor-in-Chief of my high school yearbook.
  5. Tom and I started riding a tandem bike in 2000.
  6. I finally discovered “my passion” at age 63 when I started this blog.
  7. I put myself through college working as a movie theater cashier.

The Angel Award
doncharisma-org-award-angel_edited-1

This award has no rules. It’s just a beautiful award to show great appreciation to all the beautiful Angels out there. This one is for all of you, too, so please take it!

 

Most Influential Blogger Awarddoncharisma-org-most-influential-blogger-award-man

The Rules:
1. Display the Award on your Blog. 
2. Announce your win with a blog post and thank the Blogger who awarded you.
3. Present 10 deserving Bloggers with the Award. 
4. Link your nominees in the post and let them know of their being awarded with a comment (or a pingback). 
5. Include an embedded video of your current favourite song. If a video is not possible you can embed a SoundCloud track. I mostly listen to “oldies;” though, there are some current artists that I like. With this said, I am including a video of one of my all time favorite songs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AsvlJSU6qE

These are my nominations for all of the above awards. I think each of these blogs is exceptional and consider all of the recipients to be our friends. If any of you already have any of these awards, please forgive the duplication.

    1. Friends Furever
    2. Kitty Cat Chronicles
    3. Dezizworld
    4. Tonk’s Tail
    5. Animal Shelter Volunteer Life
    6. Critters in the Cottage
    7. Clooney’s Num Num Fund
    8. Savannah’s Paw Tracks
    9. ManxMnews
    10. Nylablue and Sherri-Ellen’s Purrfect Pad
    11. BeadedTail
    12. Twinkletoe Tails
    13. Life with Dogs and Cats

OUR BLOGOVERSARY AND A GIVEWAY

 

Welcome to Kitties Blue

 

2nd Blogoversary

 

When Kitties Blue and I began this blog two years ago we had no idea what we were doing. We received some basic instructions on how to use WordPress by our web-site designer and then were set loose to make our mark in the blogosphere. For our first 36 posts, our commenters consisted of one to a handful of friends. With our 37th post, “Scary Cat” on Halloween Wordless Wednesday 2012 we received three comments from individuals we didn’t know. It wasn’t until November 27, 2012, that we received comments from two individuals who still comment occasionally.

It was just last month when our legitimate comments surpassed our spam comments in number received. As of Sunday evening, we had received 10,153 valid comments. And if you were with us yesterday, you know that today marks our 401st post.

One goal I have for the blog which we have yet to achieve—receiving 50 comments on a post. Maybe today will be our lucky day.

blogoversaryWe were going to hang some streamers to celebrate, but Giulietta had other things in mind and refused to let go of them. With that in mind, we will just have to proceed to a special award for all our followers and our giveaway.

 

Without those of you who have befriended us during the last two years we either would have given up this project or been foundering  untethered somewhere in space. It is with our sincere and heartfelt appreciation that we made a little something for all of you. It is an award, but it comes with NO rules. We would be honored if you would display it on your blog and link to us, but that is up to each of you. We want to thank Nellie  (Cat from Hell The Thoughts and Mewsings of Nellie in the City) for designing this cool badge that we used to create the award.

And now for the fun part—our giveaway. We have two items and you only need to leave a comment prior to Thursday morning (July 24) at 8 a.m. EDT to be in the drawing. The first is for an autographed copy of the book, Sal Everybody’s Pal, which we reviewed recently. If you click on the book name, you can read the review and see some of the exquisite illustrations from the book. This giveaway is open to all readers.

Drinkwell-Original-Pet-Fountain blogoversaryThe second item we will be giving away is this new Drinkwell Fountain. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

Winners will be determined by using Random.org.

grumpy-cat-catnip blogoversary

free_lemonade blogoversarySo it seems we we should finally get this party started. Today we are serving catnip cupcakes and lemonade. Please help yourselves and enjoy.

 

And once again, thank you so much for following us. We hope you will continue to do so in the future.

With purrs and paw-pats from Kitties Blue and hugs from me, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo and Janet

THANKFUL THURSDAY: SHINE ON AWARD

We recently were nominated for the Shine On Award by Astrid’s boyfriend Sampson and his fursibs from the Kitty Cat Chronicles. Thank you so much. We have always admired this award and are tickled that you passed it on to us.

The award does come with a few rules:
1. Visit and thank the blogger who nominated you.
2. Acknowledge that blogger on your blog and link back.
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
4. Nominate up to 15 bloggers for the Shine On award, provide a link to their blog in your post, and notify them on their blog.

So we have taken care of the first two on the list. Now for the seven random facts (which we are turning into eight for obvious reasons).

Lily Olivia: Leo (Critters in the Cottage) and I keep trying to get together for a date, but our humans stay so busy they can’t seem to help us make it happen.

Mauricio: I am in love with my girlfriend Allie (Friends Furever), but she says that we haven’t been together long enough for me to say it.

Misty May: I won’t come in the house for breakfast or dinner until I see one of the humans at the door with a filled food bowl in hand.

Giulietta: If I am shut out of a room I want in, I will scratch the door continuously until it is opened.

Fiona: Sometimes I get to go out in the yard with Mom when she works in the garden, so I often think it is okay to go out on my own and sneak out if I can. I always come right back when I am called ’cause I know what I am doing is naughty and not allowed.

Astrid: I chased Lisbeth a couple nights ago. She took off and ran right through our cat drinking fountain throwing water all over the kitchen and knocking the top off the fountain. Fun times!

Lisbeth: My very favorite thing to do is eat the fresh flowers we always have in the kitchen.

Calista Jo: I have two sisters, Ellie and DeeDee, who are “failed” fosters ’cause they needed to be adopted as a bonded pair. It never happened. I can attest that they have one of the best moms ever. You can read about them here.

Blogs we are nominating for this award:

 Critters in the Cottage (link above)  on a more personal note   Lone Star Cats  Sushi’s Diary  Random Felines  Bailey Boat Cat  Colehaus Cats  Fur Everywhere  Clooney’s Num Num Fund 

This award has been around before and we know it is making the rounds again, so we are going to stop here with nominations. We know so many of our other furiends we would normally nominate have received it recently. If you already have it, please forgive our duplication.

We’ll be back tomorrow with Calista Jo and “Doozy of a Snoozy.” And please don’t forget to join us for our 2nd Blogoversary this coming Monday, July 21.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo

 

ROCKIN’ & ROLLIN’ AT THE SOCK HOP

The gym was awash in girls with colorful poodle skirts and boys in leather jackets boppin’ to a fifties beat at the Cat Scouts Sock Hop Friday night. Most of the girls selected the traditional pink poodle skirts. But others, like Scout Dezi, were less traditional. She was a vision in all blue to match her eyes. And CatPhillips and Madi (Raz’s date) were ravishing in red.

Sampson & Astrid, Lisbeth & Charles, Allie and Mau

Sampson & Astrid, Lisbeth & Charles, Allie & Mau

I was so proud to have three of my kits in attendance: Scout Mau and his girlfriend, Scout Allie; Lisbeth and her friend, Scout Charles; and Astrid with her boyfriend, Scout Sampson. I think they all look so adorable.

sock hop bus

Though a lot of Scouts had some classic cars to transport themselves and their dates to the Hop, many decided to take the Party Bus so they’d have extra time to visit with each other. Astrid, Lisbeth, Mau and their dates were part of that group.

The big event of the night was the Dance Contest, and the Scouts really threw themselves into it with all four paws. I’m thinking that a Dancing Merit Badge is in order. Of course, Kitties Blue and their dates participated. They even got dressed in special outfits to show off their moves.

Allie & Mau show of their flexibility.

Allie & Mau showed off their flexibility during a Jitter Bug.

Charles & Lisbeth both being a little shy selected a a subdued Lindy for their dance.

Charles & Lisbeth decided to perform a less vigorous dance.

Sampson & Astrid kick up their heels to become one of the nights winners.

Sampson & Astrid kicked up their heels and won a trophy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Scouts voted for their favorites in the Dance Contest. Four couples tied for first place, including Astrid and Sampson. They earned one of the coveted trophies.

TROPHY ASTRID SAMPSON Sock Hop

 

 

 

 

 

 

They practiced for many hours, and it really showed. I am so happy for them both.

Both Charles and Sampson are very thoughtful young men. Prior to the dance Charles sent Lisbeth a darling retro charm bracelet, which she was so excited to wear to the dance.

Astrid and Sampson anniversaryAnd Sampson sent Astrid this sweet anniversary card and lovely necklace. She says she is never taking it off. I am hoping Sampson doesn’t mind me sharing his heartfelt card as I have already put it on our sidebar along with their trophy.

What can I say…I’m a proud mom.

 

 

THANKFUL THURSDAY: A CATLESS VERSION

I know this is a cat blog, but the felines will not be featured in today’s Thankful Thursday post. I do know, however, if they understood what was happening, they would be standing on their hind legs giving their dad a big round of APAWS. I hope my readers will forgive me for going in a different direction today.

Tom Blue (L) receives “Frier” Award from USA Volleyball

Last night, Kitties Blue Dad, Tom, was recognized for more than a quarter century of devoted service to USA Volleyball and FIVB (Federation of International Volleyball) when he received  the prestigious Harold T. Friermood “Frier” Award, the top organizational award given by USAV, at the 69th Annual Dorothy C. Boyce Awards Banquet at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

In accepting the award, Kitties Blue Dad said, “I am overwhelmed – USA Volleyball’s been a big part of my life. I am sorry Janet wasn’t here tonight. She supported me through 25 years of gallivanting around the world for USA Volleyball and FIVB. She was significant in her work for USA Volleyball.”

Needless to say, I am super proud of him. I did know he was receiving the award, and I had been given the opportunity to fly to Phoenix to surprise him. However, I never would have been able to keep the secret if I had been “missing” for the day I was traveling. Kitties Blue Dad would have been worried out of his mind if he couldn’t reach me. And it seems I made the right decision as I am still suffering terribly from the scorpion sting I received at BlogPaws.

I will always be sad that I missed this big event, but no less thrilled for Tom. I hope my readers will join the kitties and me in congratulating him.

If you have any interest in reading the entire story about the award and presentation, you can do so by clicking this link: USA Volleyball Honors Tom Blue.

MONDAY MEOWSINGS: THE YOO-HOO! YOO-HOO! AWARD

Our furiend Nissy from Nerissa’s Life is celebrating receiving 100,000 page views on his blog. In honor of that accomplishment, he developed this new Yoo-Hoo! YOO-HOO! (one of his favorite sayings) Award.

We are so honored o be one of his recipients and delighted to accept the award. The rules for accepting the award are pretty simple.

1) Post the award on your blog and thank the blogger who gave it to you. Thank you Nissy for developing this new award and passing it on to us.

2) Visit at least three of the blogs that are receiving the award along with you and leave a
comment.
3) Tell us all three things you have to celebrate. You know, three things for which you are
thankful.

We are thankful that our sweet Astrid and the wonderpurr Sampson have found each other. We’re also thankful that Mauricio was in the very first group of Cat Scouts to be purrmoted to the rank of Cougar. Finally, we are so super thankful that Spring has finally arrived

4) Pass along the award to seven other bloggers and let them know you have done so. Here are our seven:

Friends Furever  Kitty Cat Chronicles   The Island Cats  Tom Cat Commentary by Tim   Critters in the Cottage  The Cat from Hell   TwinkleToe Tails

We know none of our recipients received this from Nissy, but we sure hope they haven’t already received it from another source.

Have a great week y’all.

Purrs and paw-pats, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calists Jo