a few months ago I submitted a tutorial to a little-big magazine in chicago on a lark. there was no way I would ever be one of the winners in the “first ever venus holiday craft-off”. I’m just not that good.

so, imagine my complete “jump-up-and-down and scream a little silently in my head” suprise when I heard from them that I was actually one of the winners. imagine the most surprised you could be and double it. i was completely floored. there were witnesses.

this was also a month and a half ago, and I have been biting my tongue not telling the internet about it. ow.

so, if you’re near a mag shop that carries other good mags like Bust, and zines about the indie rock scene, check out the Winter 2005-2006 copy of Venus, available theoretically, as of Dec 1. Not only will you get to see the most lamely flattering photo of myself I could find in a hurry, but you’ll also get some lovely photos of my straps in real life, and detailed instructions on how to make one yourself, if you’re so inclined. As a bonus, there’ll be DIY tutorials from other cool indie-craft winners. Just in time for some holiday creations….

And for those of you on a strict holiday budget….everything they feature is a project that costs less than $25 US to make….how is that for a deal?

this weekend was made up of a lot of packing, a bizarro private party at barrymores with free yet not free beer, packing, moving things around, more packing, and lots of six feet under. somehow we consumed an entire pie between only three of us. i love making apple pie in the fall.

i’ve been taking apart big pieces of furniture this week….it’s interesting how refreshing a room can be when the things that fill it are no longer there.

it’s strange yet exciting to be leaving this house. there are many things I won’t miss (upside down light switches, the *neighbours*, street parking), but many things I will.

By far, the biggest thing I’m going to miss is my window. My bedroom window is huge – the full length of my bed, as tall as me, and lets in loads of natural glorious light. I’ve spent so many nights laying here, staring at the stars, thinking, writing, watching the action on the street below. All of our kittens have played in this window, have slept there, and climbed the screens.

I think every home has a spot, one you can call yours. I have no doubt about what I could call mine.

PS – an internet love letter: dear internet, please adopt princess already.

The kitties went back today. Somehow it feels more significant, and a little more sad, taking them back. They’ll be the last cats I foster here (though not the last cats I foster at all).

For the longest time, I worried about Felix. He walked all stooped over and feeble, reminiscent of a very elderly man, walking with a cane. He would never play with anyone else, and heaven forbid he climb the stairs.

He figured out the stairs on Monday, and last night was nearly as active as all of the others, though still a little bit skittish. I guess the fact that his brothers and sisters are TWICE HIS SIZE probably has something to do with it. He’s a doll, though. I hope someone wonderful takes him home.

Chairman Meow grew on me over time. Standoffish at first, bossy at other times, he always seemed very independant – didn’t need anything from us. Until, of course, you found the sweet spot where he likes to have his chin rubbed. Then he will totally love you and will lay on his back doing that oh so happy leg-shake thing. He and Felix are best friends.

Neko is dreamy – she used to be the most obnoxious and by far the messiest, but now she’s turned into an almost fastidious groomer, and a super gentle kitty. She is definitely the leader of the pack, and won’t hesitate to wrestle with Princess on the floor and chase her around the house. With Felix, she’s gentle, and doesn’t push too hard, but still plays with him so he’s not lonely. She likes to take long naps *near* people but not directly on, though this morning she curled up and purred on my chest for half-an-hour before getting up to play.

Princess is the dramatic diva of the bunch. She is always showing off, trying to ensure that you are looking at her at all times. Hilarious to watch, since she’s always trying to “look cool” but also win the battle with whoever she’s playing with. She can always be found wherever her best friend Neko is, upstairs or down. They even learned to climb the stairs together.

This house has seen more than its share of kittens in the last year – we’ve been foster “parents” to twenty-nine kitties in the last sixteen months. More kitties than I thought I would ever see in a lifetime.

Each cat that’s been here has left an impression in their own ways. We had standoffish cats (Cole & Maya), and cuddly cats, scarf-humping cats (Gryphon!) and nose-licking cats (Newton!). It’s only been recently, with the last few bunches (Ted, and these guys) that I realized exactly how much I love doing this – and what a great program it really is. Sometimes there’s nothing nicer than coming home to a pet at the end of the day who is going to love you….and for these little babies to get the chance to grow up with lots of people, and affection and love, well….I think it goes without saying how great that is.

PS: Adoption watch: if the link doesn’t return their profile, they’re adopted! Princess Mushroom, Chairman Meow, Felix, Neko.