toby cat

Today my family lost someone quite special.  Toby cat came to us over 16 years ago when my mom brought him home from work one day.  Now, I can't remember if it was an abandoned litter that a co-worker found (although this is how I remember it) or if the co-worker was giving them away, but that doesn't matter.  The tiny tabby kitten came to live with us.  For a little while he had no name, and I remember getting vetoed on my silly suggestions of Penguin and Schnurple.  We eventually settled on Toby and it fit him perfectly.

He turned into a rough and tumble kind of guy, who was very independent, but also the most loving, cuddly cat I've ever met.   He was so effortlessly cool, that Patrick (not necessarily a cat person) has said that the only cat we could ever own would have to be just like Toby.  He absolutely loved getting his chin scratched, and I'll always remember how he enjoyed it to the point of drooling.  He would nuzzle you like the best of them, and longed for adventures outdoors (of which he sometimes got).  On several occasions he brought us his "prized treasures" from said adventures. Once my mom found a snake in her room (a small one, don't worry) and another time he was kind enough to leave me half a mouse on my bed.

But Toby wasn't all hunter.  When we lived in MD he befriended a little chipmunk.  You may not believe me, but this little guy would wait on our front porch until Toby was let out, and they would play together.  Toby would mostly do the chasing, but he never hurt the chipmunk. In fact, one time, my mom (or maybe it was dad?) got in the middle of one of these games of tag, and the chipmunk scurried right up onto her (his?) shoulder and looked down at Toby as if to say "haha! I won!" only to run down the other side and they were off again.

In 16 years, there are so many memories… and with my current baby brain, the details may be a little fuzzy, but they will always be with me.  He will always be with me.  Toby, and his bright green, gorgeous eyes.  Toby, and his softer than soft gray fur.  Toby, and his constant meowing by the door to be let out and set free.  We didn't like to let him out, especially in NC where we had seen more than one coyote lurking about the property.  One night we couldn't be sure if he was in the house, so we even scanned the footage from the security cameras to see if he got out, or was just hiding really well inside.  He was (and is) so, SO loved.

I'll never forget how, in my teenage years, I had a mosquito net draped over my bed (I suppose it made me feel exotic), and if it was closed, and determined Mr. Tobe wanted to snuggle with me, he would scale the net until he found a way in.  Yes, it was shredded, but no, I didn't care.  In more recent years, I will fondly remember how he would nuzzle the camera over and over when Gunnar would FaceTime with him.

It's never easy to say goodbye, but I know you are resting peacefully my sweet Toby cat.  My ToTo.  I will forever miss your sweet face, and your snuggles.  Keep the crew company up there, I'm sure plenty more adventures await you.

visitors

January also saw our first visitors from across the pond.  Pat's parents, or Gaga and Poppy (as they are more affectionately known), came to visit us for three weeks.  We spent their time here showing them our favorite places.  We also took them to Brisbane for a cricket match, and a trip to the Koala Sanctuary, then headed up north for a long weekend at the Sunshine Coast.  That was capped off with a trip to the Australia Zoo, and back home some relaxation in the gorgeous Queensland weather.  We were sad to see them go, but hope they had fun on their visit down under!

Thanks for visiting Gaga and Poppy!  Now, who's next?!

giving thanks 2013

Only a few months late, but for Thanksgiving, I had the most to be thankful for… a trip home!  I brought Gunnar back to the states for 2 weeks (it ended up being almost a month, but we'll get to that).  We enjoyed our time with family, and my little boy loved running around on the farm with his pups again.

Sisters.

 SciWorks with Mimi and Bepa

 Puppy love.

I knew 2 weeks wouldn't be long enough of a visit, and as it turns out, Delta had the same thing in mind.  To make a VERY long story short… After a series of delays over 2 days of trying to get on a plane back to Australia, I threw in the towel and got rebooked on a flight leaving 11 days after, and 2 states north of when and where I was originally supposed to fly from.  This was because Patrick and I were virtually flip-flopping.  I was scheduled to arrive down under the day before he was to fly to Maryland.  I opted to fly back with him.  I think it saved everyone a whole lot of stress.  Unfortunately for Gunnar and I, our bags didn't get the memo about the delays and ended up in Sydney without us.  After a week, and a few shopping sprees on Delta's tab, we got them back, relatively unscathed.  

We were sad to leave, and are counting the days until we get to go back!  We love everyone back in the US, especially you guys, Jack and Win!

otter party

Last weekend we hit up the local aquarium for an otter birthday party!  Gunnar was a little grumpy so we didn't get to enjoy too much of the party activities, but we did get a cool otter magnet from the gift shop! And we signed their birthday card.  The trip included classics like playing in the sting ray pool, and giving our favorite bronze turtle some love.  And new things, like climbing inside the entrance sign.

And now, you can enjoy some photos: