Saturday, August 10, 2013

House Sparkle and Precious Kitties

The heat and humidity has been getting the best of me this summer. I feel like I have been getting nothing done..just no energy. But thankfully Wyatt and I decided to take an air conditioned drive to Goodwill the other day because look what we found!


I love crystal chandeliers and now I have found 2 bargains in a month! When I first got it it wasn't looking exactly like I wanted...


All it took was a little white paint, some distressing and cleaning those crystals and it turned out just like I wanted it too. It was priced at $6.99...but I had my $10 free receipt so I got it for free!



I had the perfect spot for it in my entryway above the chair where we sit to take our shoes off.


 I am really happy to have found this, and also so thankful that my husband is so good at putting things like this up for me!

We have had so much going on in our lives in the world of our felines...who are family to us.

Big John and Chantel

We lost our precious Big John who died of old age at 17. He has been with the kids their entire lives (and most of Janae's life) and we miss him so  much. What a wonderful boy he was!

Right around the time of Big John's passing we saw a silver shaded persian at the animal shelter while going with my Mother to license her puppy. We later saw her again at Petco..she was being advertised as being up for adoption at the shelter. We learned she had been there over a month and she was 5 years old. Her fur was a terrible mess and I think people were just afraid of the care her coat would take. I knew I could handle it. For many years I showed chinchilla and silver shaded and golden persians. Big John was my last persian from my cat showing days (though I never showed or bred him..he was just a favorite kitten who became a pet to us). Here I am in my cat showing days...


Those were fun years! My kitty Snuffy did very well at the shows :)

So anyway..you know where this story is going...the kitty at the shelter came home and became part of our family.

 
She had an ear infection, and lots of mats but we got her all cleaned up and she is doing great now. She is such a love!
 

 
Her name at the shelter was Rain. They named her that because the person who brought her in said they just found her. The shelter wondered if that was true. She was in bad shape so I am sure the person didn't want to admit to the lack of care. We liked that name but we name our animals more "real" names so we named her Sophia...keeping Rain as her middle name. Our other cats did not like the idea at first but they are slowly accepting her.


"Mom--Phoebe is touching me!" I swear sometimes cats can be as bad as kids when it comes to trying to annoy each other :)!

There has been one more big feline story in our household recently. Wyatt and I went to my parents house one day and as soon as we got out of the car could hear this terrible screaming! We ran to the backyard where we found a little orange kitten stuck in a bush. My parents don't hear well so they hadn't heard it--but a lady in the apartments behind their house said she had heard the screaming for 3 days. I can't understand some people! To make a long story short Janae decided to save his life and become his Mama. His leg ended up having to be amputated. Read the whole story here. It is really heartwarming..I am so proud of Janae.


I know we can't save them all...but I am thankful for the ones we are able to save!

Hope this finds everyone enjoying the summer--I am hoping to spend the next few days catching up on everybody's blogs! Ice tea and a computer---sounds like the thing to do in all this humidity :)

Thanks for visiting!

21 comments:

Deb said...

Oh Sandi, what a wonderful post. Two beautiful cats saved. You truly have a heart of gold. What a beautiful additional she is to your family. The kitten's story is so sad but now it is safe and will be loved. Amen!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

That chandelier is beautiful, Sandy! I can't believe you wound up getting it for free! They never have lights like that at our Goodwill.

Grandma Carolee said...

The chandelier turned out beautifully, and I love where Jerry hung it.
So glad the cats are beginning to accept one another. Soon they will be best friends.

Lady of the Woods said...

We cannot have enough sparklies! LOL, and I truly wish I could get another cat for companion as my last two have been, they became part of my immediate family. I have a "Thing" about them coming to me, because going "shopping" for a cat doesn't seem right, but I'm praying for another one to come to me, sigh. Your chandy's are too pretty, enjoy them! :D:D:D

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

The new additions to your family are adorable. Sorry to hear about Big John. Love the free chandie.

Fran said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss of Big John. As long as he is in your hearts, he will always be there with you.
You did an amazing thing saving your newest furbaby. Congrats on the new addition to the family.
I loved the story about how Janae helped save little Leo. You and your family are doing a great work for these lost souls.
I also love love your new chandelier. I need to get one for my bedroom.

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

Sandy, you and your family have such beautiful and caring hearts. I'm sorry to hear about your loss of Big John. Our fur babies do become our children and their loss is always felt so strongly.
How blessed these two new babies are to have such a lovely family to take care of them... especially poor little Leo.

Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique said...

Sandy, you and your family have such beautiful and caring hearts. I'm sorry to hear about your loss of Big John. Our fur babies do become our children and their loss is always felt so strongly.
How blessed these two new babies are to have such a lovely family to take care of them... especially poor little Leo.

farmhouse-story said...

a free chandy--doesn't get better than that:) love it, sandy! your new baby is adorable. love phobe's pic with sophia:) bless your daughter's heart-her new kitten story is so heart warming!

Janae said...

I am so jealous of all the chandeliers you are getting!!! It looks so perfect by the front door. Sophia is so pretty such a perfect match for you :)

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

Very pretty chandelier!

I enjoyed reading about your kitty Sophia. Interesting how you saw her two different times. I am sure she was meant to come home with you. How do the Pommies like her?

Our Persian cat, Max, looked very similar to Sophia. We had him for 17 years. He passed on a few years ago, but sometimes I see our Fuzzy pom checking for him behind the couch, even after all of this time. Max was an old cat when we brought Fuzzy home, and Max detested Fuzzy. Fuzzy was always doing little Pom tricks on him, like trying to pull the chair pad out from under Max while he was sleeping. Max had no patience for a Pom puppy, but Fuzzy just went right on loving him anyway, sneaking in for a lick and getting his nose scratched every time.

Unknown said...

Beautiful chandelier and the cats is soooo sweet!!!

Tilda E. said...

Wow, this brings back memories. We had a silver persian when I was growing up named Frosty. He made it to 19 years old! He was quite a character. Sorry you lost Big John.
Its so hard to lose our furry loved ones.

sunnyskiesandsweettea said...

Sandy,

I am sad to hear of your loss. But I am glad you rescued a needy cat. I have always thought persians were so pretty. Your chandelier looks beautiful. You found just the perfect spot for it.
Blessings,
Amy Jo

Anne said...

I am sorry for your loss.I know how hard it is to lose a fur baby!
That kitty is lucky you found it and took it in.I am sorry it lost a leg but it is the luckiest cat having you all in <3 You are an amazing person with a HUGE heart!
xx
Anne

Junkchiccottage said...

Sandy,
You have the best heart and are so good to your real kids and all your furry kids. What a blessing those little kitties will have being adopted into your family. Such sweeties. Enjoy your new furry kids.
Kris

must love junk said...

Sandy, you (and your daughter)just melted my heart by rescuing these sweet kitties! I'm such a huge cat lover and I admire you both for having such big hearts!
Oh, and your chandy was a fantastic score! :)
Susan

Heaven's Walk said...

I just can't understand how anyone could just ignore a crying kitten for three days, Sandy! Grrrr!! It makes me so angry! So I'm so glad that you rescued that little baby and gave her a forever home. ♥ God bless you!!!

xoxo laurie

The Polka Dot Closet said...

I didn't know you showed cats, how wonderful. Your new baby is gorgeous. Sorry you lost your cat, goodness 17 years and I know they were all wonderful

Carol

Cindy said...

Oh my goodness... so sorry to hear about Big John. I know these little creatures become such a part of the family, and we miss the life and personality they bring into the home. And what luck for Sophia for ya'll to adopt her, she is gorgeous! That one photo of her is amazing! And a new little kitten, that you rescued?! I'll have to go read that story next! I can't believe you found that chandy at the thrift shop, and then got it for free. It looks like a million bucks after you spruced it up. It has really pretty lines... very delicate... I've missed so much and i'm now trying to catch up on everyones' posts... glad i didn't miss this one!

Cindy

The Cottage Market {Andrea} ♥ said...

My heart is heavy for your loss. I know the love and emotions all too well...I believe that they are waiting for us above...I really do! I have to tell you that you and yours family warms my heart...I am honored to know you and you make this world a better place...sending hugs...