Doing the Cornelius Shuffle

Way back in 2007, we hosted a dear little kitten named Cornelius Bouvier. He was quite a little character, and was an excellent little sidewinder.  Because of his sidewinding skills, we dubbed that move "The Cornelius Shuffle".

I felt pretty lucky when I witnessed Ramona and Myron break into the Shuffle this morning. Of all the absurdly cute things kittens do, this truly is my favorite!

Crafting with/for Kittens

Good Morning, everyone. I just wanted to respond to all of the comments you left on THIS entry from earlier in the week.

It was nice to see how you all were excited about the idea of having some DIY kitty craft projects on the blog. Like I said before, I'm still kind of kicking around the idea, and thinking about how it all might take shape.

They will most likely be inexpensive, simple ideas made with things you probably already have on hand. I think I'll try to keep them "green" as often as I can and use recycled and or repurposed materials.

As far as level of difficulty, I don't think they'll be too challenging. An average person with the skills to thread a needle or plug in a glue gun would be able to complete the projects.

Also, I won't be holding myself to any sort of schedule with it, just an occasional crafty post when time allows, most likely during the lull between litters.

I dabble in two worlds,, cats and crafts,, and I think this might be a good opportunity to bridge the two.

So after the busy holiday season ends, and 2011 rolls in, we'll get crafting with/for kittens. Lord help us.

And speaking of crafts, just wanted to say thanks to all who the time vote for me in the Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Sale contest. It's not over with yet, but things are looking good. I have to say, it's been a bit of a nail-biter. A few of the other contenders have gotten shout-outs in some very big blogs, so it's been a voting frenzy! I'll be holding my breath until 12:00 Eastern Standard time when it all ends! If you would like to cast a vote of support, please click HERE.

One last crafty note.... this weekend I'll be participating in the annual Tacoma is For Lovers Artist Craft Sale. It's a whole lot of fun, and there's always a lot of great artists selling their wares. Stop on by if you can, I'd love to meet you!

Tacoma is for Lovers Artist Craft Sale
Saturday and Sunday (Nov 13 and 14th)
Kings Books
218 St Helens Ave
Tacoma, WA

For more info visit HERE!

OH,, and by the way,, the top picture is Mr Cornelius Bouvier. Bottom pic is Rex and Reva Von Trout from two of our earliest litters.

Halloweens of Yesteryear

Here are a few links to Halloween posts from the past...

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlene Butterbean
Little Miss Bean and her first Halloween.

Albert Allen Poe
He perched, and sat, and nothing more...

The BOOviers
Sweet little pumpkins...

Happy Hallow-Bean and Candy Corny
Anxiously await the trick-or-treaters...

More spider wranglin'...
With Albert and Davy

Link to the Past: Cornelius and His Bow Tie

A post filled pics of this dapper little man sportin' his bow tie here....

Well Hellllloooo, Boys!

Hey look, everyone! It's Fergus Mayfield and Cornelius Bouvier!! They're all (or nearly) grown up now! Cornelius celebrated his one year birthday back in September. I think Fergus has his first birthday coming up at the end of January.

They're big boys now,, but I can still see a glint of the tiny kitten we all knew and loved in their faces.





Thanks to both of their mamas for sharing the pictures of your beautiful boys. It's so good to see them both again.

If you've forgotten how adorable these boys were as babes,, here are a couple of reminders. Sigh.

The Cornelius Report !!!!

Look at the big boy! It sounds like he is doing quite well. This is what his mom had to say...

Well, I’m pleased to report that he is terrific—he must be twice the size he was when I first saw him at your house. He enjoys chasing tin foil balls around the room, getting into my yarn and is very curious about the big world of Outside. I’ve nicknamed him “Purr baby” on account of his robust purr engine.

Thanks for the picture, Kristin! I know everyone will be happy to hear he's doing fine.

How to Craft with Kittens

After yesterday's post, a lot of you were curious about how I was able to craft when the kittens are around. Here's the secret.. you see, the kittens get adopted BEFORE they are old enough to really get into trouble. They're not big enough to jump on tables yet, so most of the damage they do, is at ground level. If I keep things off the floor, its fine. Keeping the door closed to the craft room helps too.

Cornelius was always extra curious about the craft room and managed to sneak in on multiple occasions. His new mom did mention to me that he has a fondness for yarn. Old habits die hard.

Now Charlene can be quite a pest in my craft room. If she's unattended, she'll take the things off my desk, and use them as toys. She also likes to rustle through my supply baskets to steal styrofoam balls, ribbon and yarn. If she's supervised, she's pretty good. She'll just sit on the desk and watch me work. Oh but there was that one time when she stepped in glue, followed by... glitter.....

Here are a couple of pics of a well mannered Charlene in the craft room.

Do the Cornelius Shuffle !

I discovered this lost footage of Cornelius while cleaning up my laptop today. I love the little jig he does for Craig. Gosh, he was such a cute little bug back then.

I found a couple of other nuggets too. I'll post those in days to come.

(That's my dad chuckling in the back ground, by the way.)

Teeny Tiny Tongues and Teeth

Charlene Butterbean

Morty

Pierre

Reva

Wendell

Pierre

Lottie

Ramona

Cornelius

Willamena

2007 Kitty Review

Pierre

Penny

Cassius

Vinny

Wendell Jefferson Hopps

Mitzy Jean Hopps

Rex Von Trout

Reva Von Trout

Lottie Bouvier

Cornelius Bouvier

Maddie Bouvier

Willamena Bouvier

It was really fun going through all the pictures from the year and selecting one of each kitten for today's post. I enjoyed reflecting on each of our babies during this process.

What a wonderful year it's been. I feel so lucky having all of these lovely kittens as a part of our lives. Each one was so precious and fabulous in their own special way. It was an amazing experience watching them grow and seeing their personalities develop. They made us laugh many, many times. We were touched by their sweetness. They enriched our lives so much.

It's been a pleasure getting to know all of you as well. We appreciate you always being there and loving these babies from afar. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

I want to wish you all the best for 2008. I hope your year is bright and filled with lots of love, happiness, and good health.

Happy New Year IBKC Friends!
Happy New Year Kitties !
Happy New Year Kitty Parents and Families!
Happy New Year Everyone!

All the Babies

Here's a group shot taken shortly before the kitties left for their new homes.

Zoiks! He's Gone !!!!

You guys aren't going to believe this. Cornelius got adopted on Sunday. It all happened very, very fast.

On Saturday, I got an email from Kristin, a Tacoma gal, who was in search of a kitty. She had lost her 17-year-old cat this last summer, and she was ready to bring the pitter-patter of paws back into her home. She sounded like a wonderful mama for him, so I emailed her right back and we arranged for a meet and greet on Sunday. She came over, they met and fell in love, and thirty minutes later, he was gone.

My head is still spinning. I was a little more prepared for Maddie's departure. It was a longer process, so there was a little more time to say goodbye. This was shockingly fast, and I can hardly believe he is gone.

But he is.

The last night we had together was a special one. Lottie and Willamena were over at Kim's house, Maddie was on her way to Texas, so Craig and I had him all to ourselves. We hung out together all night. We played with all his favorite toys. We played all his favorite games. We gave him lots and lots of cuddles. Charlene loved not having to share him with the other kitties. They played hard and chased each other all over the house.

It was interesting seeing Cornelius as an individual, and not just one of the kitty collective. I think without having to play his role of ring-leader and main trouble-instigator, he was a different kitty. I saw more facets to his personality, when I thought I knew him so well.

We all went to bed, and in the middle of the night, I woke up and peeked into his bedroom. He hopped up, so I came in the room and said hello. When I left the room and closed the door, he started crying. I came back in, and climbed into bed with him. He purred and purred ( the low purrs and the high, excited, squeaky ones too) and he climbed all over me. He rubbed up against my face and under my chin. This was the first night he had ever been separated from his siblings, so of course, the poor little fellow was lonely. Eventually he did settle in. We snuggled and I told him about Maddie's big adventure. I stayed with him until the purring stopped and I knew for sure he was sound asleep, then I slipped out of the room.

I am glad we had this evening together. It made me realize that he doesn't necessarily need the other kittens, he just needs company. I know he's going to get lots of company in his new home, and plenty of love. Our little boy is going to be just fine.

Itty Bitty Christmas Committee

Dad,, the kittens are getting into the tree again.



Thank you, Charlene.



But Dad,, I think there's still one in there.



LOTTIE !!!

Smiley Face

Cornelius is so sweet, he even smiles when he sleeps.

The Full Scoop

I haven't told him yet. I can't quite figure out how to say it. You see, sweet little Cornelius is the ONLY member of the IBKC that hasn't been spoken for.

Willamena met her new parents and instantly fell in love with them. I am pretty sure it was love at first site for them as well. Actually, I think they loved her before they even met her. We just had to meet them and love them ( which we did, they are fabulous! ).

Little Miss Lottie is going to a wonderful place as well. She'll be living with her new mom and a new brother too ! Her mom is awesome and is going to give her all the love that this precious girl deserves.

Maddie has found someone very special. So special in fact, that we are willing to let her go solo. We really wanted to send her out with her bro, but this opportunity came along for her, and we couldn't resist.

Willamena and Lottie still need to be spayed, which will happen soon. They will join their new families as soon as they are through that and have had a little time to heal.

Maddie is ready to go, we just need to schedule a time for her to be picked up.

That leaves Cornelius. I guess somebody always has to be last. I am sure he'll be scooped up soon . It will be easier to find a home for him now that he's a single kitty. I just need to circulate a picture of him in his bow tie and I am sure he'll get snatched up. So maybe I won't even tell him. Just because he's the last picked, doesn't mean he'll be the last one to go. So for now, I think I'll spare him a blow to his little kitty ego.

A Basket Full of Beauties

There's Safety in Numbers

And we are numerous !
From left to right: Willamena, Cornelius, Tink, Maddie, Lottie, Jeanne-Marie, Phyllis, Shermie.

Kitty Profile: Cornelius

Name: Cornelius Bouvier
Nickname: Oso, My Boyfriend, Little Man. Please don't call me Corny.
Describe yourself in 20 words or less: I am very sweet, polite, wiggly and playful. Everyone tells me I am sleek and quite handsome too.
What are your hobbies? Wrestling with my sister Maddie, running, leaping, chasing small styrofoam balls, eating, purring and lurking about.
Favorite toy: I don't know what it's called, but it's a big plastic circle with a ball that goes around a track on the outside edge. It has a cardboard scratcher in the middle too. The ball lights up when it moves. I'll chase it until I am dizzy. It's just heavenly.
Dislikes: Getting my toenails trimmed.
Dream-home: I would love it if I could live somewhere with Maddie. It would be great if it was just the two of us, but I think I could learn to love an older brother or sister. I must live in a house filled with toys and empty cardboard boxes.
An interesting fact about me: I am very motivated by food. I think I could be trained to do all sorts of tricks.
Minor Imperfection: I bite toes.
Why should you adopt me? Because I love you. I know we've never met, but that's just the kind of cat I am. And I look good in a bow tie. I could be your date for all you fancy holiday parties this season.

Ladies' Man

Oh, how the girls love him.