“Hat Day” Comment-a-Thon for SAS

Sweet Praline was lucky enough to be hatted by Sammy and Andy in October, 2010.  Here's her diva photo in her special Southern Belle hat.

For every comment that is received, I'll donate 25 cents to SAS to help them in this tough situation in memory of Sweet Praline.

Memory Post for World Cat Day

Hello everyone!  The date is quickly approaching that Truffle and Beignet will come home to live with me.  I truly believe that Sweet Praline has had a paw in the decision to bring home this beautiful brother and sister and that she will be here in spirit helping me raise them.

A few weeks ago after coming home from Auntie Deb's and the Taylor Catsssss, I went through a major depression again.  Auntie Deb's family was so loving and the Taylor Catsssss kept me amused and I had a kitty in my lap every time I sat down.  I believe when I got home, I realized how lonely it was in my house without Sweet Praline.  I was crying every day at any hour during the day at the "drop of a hat."  It was during this time that Sweet Praline's spirit appeared to me.

I was sitting on my couch with tears streaming down my face, missing Sweet Praline one night.  I thought I saw a movement from the corner of the hallway coming into my living room where Praline would always stop before coming in to sit with me.  I looked over at the hallway and Praline was standing there, as clear as could be, for a few seconds!!!  Then she was gone.  It was as if she were telling me that she was still here and that everything would be okay.  I always heard people talk about literally "seeing" past relatives or pets after they were gone, but I experienced it first hand.  Terri told me that I was so lucky to have that special connection with Sweet Praline.

Praline at the corner of the hallway

When God Created Kitty Cats

When God created kitty cats,
He had no recipe;
He knew He wanted something sweet,
As sweet as sweet could be.

He started out with sugar,
Adding just a trace of spice;
Then stirred in drops of morning dew,
To keep them fresh and nice.

He thought cats should be soft to pet,
Thus He gave them coats of fur;
So they could show they were content,
He taught them how to purr.

He made for them long tails to wave,
While strutting down the walk;
Then trained them in meow-ology,
So they could do cat-talk.

He made them into acrobats,
And gave them grace and poise;
Their wide-eyed curiosity,
He took from little boys.

He put whiskers on their faces,
Gave them tiny ears for caps;
Then shaped their little bodies,
To snugly fit on laps.

He gave them eyes as big as saucers,
To look into man's soul;
Then set a tolerance for mankind,
As their purpose and their goal.

Benevolent ... and ... generous,
He made so many of them;
Then charged, with Fatherly Concern,
The human race to love them.

When one jumped up upon His lap,
God gently stroked its head;
The cat gave Him a kitty kiss,
"What wondrous love," God said.

God smiled at His accomplishment,
So pleased with His creation;
And said, with pride, as He sat back,
"At last. . . I've reached purr-fection!"

Sweet Praline will always be a part of my heart and soul.  I love you, my little Diva!

New Blog for Future Kittens

I just wanted to let all of you know that followed Sweet Praline's blog that I've set up a new blog for my future furchildren.  I will not shut down this blog, but wanted a fresh start for the new kittens that will arrive in September.  Please come and visit at Sweet Purrfections.

http://sweetpurrfections.blogspot.com/

Remembering Sweet Praline with a Smile

This has been both the happiest and one of the saddest posts that I've done for Sweet Praline, because it's officially the "last" consecutive post for three years today!  Today would have been her 3rd Blogoversary!  I've met so many wonderful people and kitties (and a few woofies) during this three year period and some have become really good friends!  I am proud to say that I posted 1,105 days in a row for Sweet Praline so you can imagine how hard it was to narrow down the photos for the slide show below.  I wanted to include pictures from Praline's 15 1/2 years, the 3 years with the CB, and some you may not have seen.  Some will make you smile, some will make you laugh, some will make you say "awwwwww", but the music is sure to make you cry, so have tissues ready.  I wanted to record these three songs myself since the day Praline went to the Bridge, but I just couldn't get through "Smile" or "The Way We Were" without crying.  The second song is a song called "Always", which I had already recorded, so it's actually me singing between Michael Jackson and Barbra Streisand!  Enough talk, I hope you enjoy my final tribute to  Sweet Praline (it's a little long)!

If you have trouble viewing the video through the CB, you can view it on YouTube.

For those of you who aren't on FB, I left a message this week that said, "If everything goes well, I should have some new furchildren (notice the plural) in my house in about 12 weeks! Stay tuned . . ."  I don't want to jinx anything, so that is why I'm not giving much information yet.  In about 5-6 weeks, I can give you some definite information and will share it on the CB.  Let's just say that there should either be two sisters or a brother and sister by the end of the summer.  There will be a new blog, but Praline will definitely be a part of it!


Sweet Praline's blog wouldn't have been possible without all of the contributions from Ann of Zoolatry.  She was/is so generous with her time and talents, even with all that she has on her plate.  I thought you may enjoy the various headers over the past three years.  (hmmmmm - just had an idea for a "flashback Friday" with the graphics Ann has done for Praline)  Thank you, Ann!  I'll be coming back to you when the new "kids" come to live with me.

The collage below is from the various tributes on the CB for Sweet Praline.  I hope I didn't miss anyone, but if I did, please send me the picture/graphic.

This is not Good-bye, just an "I'll see you later!"  I love you!


Mom Paula and Angel Praline

Memory Lane - Outtakes Collage

I always tried to show Sweet Praline in her "best light" because of the diva that she was, but sometimes, there were pictures that just didn't show her best side.  I thought I would share just a few with you here!  

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the last "official" post for Sweet Praline's blog.  I wanted to sing another song for the background, but everytime I tried to record it, I couldn't get through the words and would start crying.  I've actually downloaded Nat King Cole singing it and hopefully YouTube will let it play tomorrow.  I'll be working on the slide show all day today, so I really hope it works out.  Tomorrow would have been Sweet Pralines 3rd  Blogoversary!

I'm not shutting down the blog, just taking a little break so I can heal.  The Memory Lane posts have really helped with my grieving process, but I  need to have some closure for now.  There will be some random posts for special events and I will keep this blog open so all (especially me) can come back and remember our little Diva!

Keep your eyes and ears open (especially on FB recently) for some new developments at Mom Paula's house by the end of the summer!

Memory Lane - Nurse Praline Video

This is one of the first videos I shared on the CB almost 3 years ago.  I had just had foot surgery (as you can see by the shoe on my foot and the bruise on my hand from the IV) and was giving Praline one of her well deserved petting session after she had been so good "nursing" me through the surgery.    One of the unique things about Praline was that she "swished" her tail when she was happy.  Have a great weekend!

Memory Lane - Tummy Collage

If I have one picture of Praline exposing her floofy tummy, I must have thousands!!!  That little diva loved to exposed herself for all of the world to see.  She was also unique in that she loved to have her tummy rubbed.  Here are a few more pictures of Praline's tummy that you may not have seen before.

 

Memory Lane - Beautiful Baby Video

I posted this video back on January 1, 2009 for one of the special events on the CB.  I think this slide show has every single picture I had of Baby Praline (or Pralinette as Khyra would say) and I love the upbeat music behind the slides.  Hopefully, YouTube will let the music play, so you can enjoy the full effect.  If it doesn't play, just imagine "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" playing in the background.

This slide show brought a smile to my face today when I was posting it!  I hope it brings one to yours today, too!

Memory Lane - Teenage Tortie Collage

I know you  haven't seen these pictures.  You can tell from the quality that they are much older pictures.  These are some more pictures of Praline when she was a young ladycat (between 3 - 7 years).  Even though the quality of the photos aren't great (pre-digital), the object in the pictures is beautiful.  The bottom right picture was before Praline was even 1-year old.  She line you see on her tummy is her scar from her lady gardenectomy!

Thank you for all of the kind comments yesterday.  I was just feeling a little "blue" and feeling sorry for myself.  Even when new furchildren come to live with me, Sweet Praline will always be a part of my life and theirs. 

Memory Lane - Laser Eye Collage

These pictures never made it into Praline's blog because I always wanted to show off her beautiful eyes.  However, when looking at these, they are so funny to look at now because they tend to show the "diva" side of her, demanding she gets what she wanted.  I hope you enjoy these!

Please purr for me as I post this week.  I thought it was going to be easy to stop Praline's blog, but I'm finding it harder to do the posts because I know the end is coming and I'm not really sure I'm ready for that.  I miss that little stinker and she'll always be in my heart, but I know I have enough love to give more furchildren in the future.  In the meantime, I am still working through my grief.  Thanks for all of your support.


I know this is last year's graphic for Memorial Day, but I wanted to honor Praline along with our military heroes today as it is Memorial Day in the United States.  This is the graphic that was used in last year's post with Sweet Praline to remember those in our military who gave their lives for our freedom.

Return Engagement: AS THE PAW TURNS - Outtakes

I hope all of you enjoyed the first showing of AS THE PAW TURNS. We had lots of fun presenting this to the CB and hope to do it again in the future. I think all of my fellow castmates are deserving of an Oscar and Emmy for their performances. Now, it's off to Broadway for me! 

Of course, as with all actors, there were some spoiled kitties during the production (besides me!). I wanted to share some of these moments with you.

Bhu from Patty Skypants

Romeo from Peggy's Place


Melvin from Mouchois



Khyra from Khyra's Korner



Goma from My Himalayan Cat "Goma"
 

Ginger Jasper

and me, Sweet Praline
 

Hey! How did Maggy get by without an out take?

I hope everyone enjoyed the return engagement of AS THE PAW TURNS in memory of Sweet Praline.  I must admit, it brought back a lot of smiles to my face (and a few tears).  I'll continue with Memory Lane posts for one more week, until next Sunday, which would have been Sweet Praline's 3rd Blogoversary.  It will be sad to stop posting, but I promise I will be back and I will visit after a short break.  There's still a lot of healing to do and preparations for the future.  

Return Engagement - AS THE PAW TURNS - The Party

I forgot that Inigo had a part in AS THE PAW TURNS!  What a wonderful tribute to this handsome angel, too! 

 We left Mayor G. Jasper taking a nap and having sweet dreams of Praline and Maggy, thinking everything was all set for the party at Sweet Praline's cottage. Luckily for him, the phone rang and woke him up. Sweet Praline purred into the phone,  "GJ, what time would you like me to be at your house to help you set up?" Mayor Jasper was too embarrassed to let his sweetheart know that he forgot it was at his house, so he told her that everything was already set up and she just needed to plan on an evening being pampered!  As soon as he hung up the phone, he immediately called Inigo Flufflebum and d'Artangan Rumblepurr Catering and Partying Consultants, the best in the village of Furville. When they heard the "last minute" party was being hosted by Sweet Praline, they immediately responded with  "yes! we'd love to help." Mayor Jasper sighed as he hung up the phone and looked at the green papers he would need to deduct from his upcoming campaign tour. However, he knew it was worth it for Sweet Praline. Thank goodness she called him and woke him up.   

The scene fades to Mayor Jasper's house . . .

 Mayor G.Jasper,  "I've called you all here this evening at the request of Sweet Praline, the village Diva. She truly believes that we can all get along, without hissing and swatting and the rivalry among us. In fact, perhaps we can teach the humans a lesson about that (they do need it now don't they?). I've invited you here to my humble abode (we mayoral types are poorly paid!) so we can share food and nip."

Praline:  "Thank you, Your Honor. As you said, I do believe we can all become furriends and still enjoy each other's company."

Mayor G.Jasper:  "Will you all take your seats at the table please? The humans wish to begin serving us." (He clapped his paws and Paula, Peggy, Ann, Sachie, Rone, and Carol jumped to attention and begin serving the group.)

Praline: "May I sit beside you, Your Honor?"

Mayor G. Jasper:  "Of course, dearest."

The Mayor (again): "Bhu, get out of your bag and come to the table. Romeo, I know you're tired, but sleeping on the table is totally not permitted in my home, move to your chair please!"

Bhu:  "I like being in the bag, or in a box, or behind something, or under something... or, or... oh well, I'll sit if I must."

Romeo:  "Stop complaining GJ, I did one-hundred-and-one surgeries today! I worked far harder than any old civil servant like you, and I'm am tired! But, out of deference to your position, I'll be seated."

The Mayor (again): "Goma, get off the sidebar and come join us. Melvin, you too, put your mousie away and come to the table, Mouchois."

Goma:  "But you know I can get much better photographs from over here, and I do have to publish tomorrow in both the political section and the social pages! Though I am concerned GJ, about it being "free advertising" for your next mayoral run in 2010; will I have to give equal space to the other candidates?"

Melvin:  "I don't wanna come to the table. I mean I do wanna come to the table. I don't wanna sit in that high chair, that's for baby-kitties, and I am growing big now. Besides, where I go, my mousey goes!"

The Mayor (again, with a heavy sigh): "Goma, you can take pictures after dinner. And don't get all hissy about the advertising, I'll give you green papers if you insist! Melvin, just push your high chair up to the table by Romeo please; I have no other chair. Besides, Romeo will cut up your tuna cakes for you, since you're not allowed to use a knife yet."

Praline:  "Shame for shame! You are all fussing and arguing over the silliest little things. This is not a good way to start our evening of harmony and getting along together."

The Mayor (frowning): "And so where is Maggy? Didn't she come, or is she late as usual?"

Praline: "Mmmm, Uuhh, she's way back there in the corner. She says she won't join us unless Khyra can come to!"

The Mayor (totally exasperated now):  "OK, OK... Khyra please join us. After all... wouldn't you all agree that's a very good way to begin getting along?"

Everyone, in unison:  "Yes, oh yes it is. Purrs all."

Praline:  "And that dear friends is  "how the paw turns". It turns towards you, with friendship."

In the meantime, Sweet Praline touches both Mayor Jasper's and Bhu's paws under the table and little Melvin spots them while he is retrieving his mousie . . .

To be continued one of these days . . .   

Tomorrow - Out takes from the show of all of the cast! 

 It's so sad we were never able to have another soap opera with Diva Praline, but she was definitely a star in this show.  Please come back tomorrow for outtakes from the series.  They are so funny.

Return Engagement - As the Paw Turns: The Meeting

Sweet Praline is exhausted, both physically and emotionally. She has discovered that her best girlcat, Maggy has been seeing Bhu, Romeo, and Ginger Jasper too. She calls Miss Zoey for a special spa day.


Sweet Praline goes to the Furrsville Salon & Spa for her daily floofing and Zoey has worked her in to have her "highlights" brightened and a complete body massage. After a great day with Khyra on the motorcycle, Maggy has come for her weekly nail trim and a paw massage. To their surprise, Zoey has secretly booked them both into the same room at the same time (That little Zoey is a great prankster!). Zoey slowly closes the door on Praline and Maggy.


The intimacy and quiet of the salon allows Praline and Maggy to chat amicably. They agree that the ongoing rivalry between them is of no benefit and they must find a way that all can live happily with one another in Furrsville. After all, Praline and Maggy have been friends since the cradle and no mancat should come between them. Praline immediately texts the Mayor (G. Jasper) requesting he call everyone together for dinner that evening at his home...

Mayor G. Jasper quickly spreads the word around town about the evenings' big event at Sweet Praline's cottage. Melvin made an early appointment at MANCAT'S (it is "thee" salon for the men in town, and a clotheir, too!) and is waiting for the others to arrive. After all, he wouldn't want to show up at Sweet Praline's house in nothing but the best for an up-in-coming mancat. Romeo, G. Jasper and Bhu arrive at MANCAT'S and see their good buddy, Goma. Of course, Goma is preparing to take quick photos on his cell, to email back to the newspaper for the evening edition. A party at Sweet Praline's is a social event! Goma takes his time to get the best pictures of all the mancats after their grooming appointments and in their new finery. He has already captured a great pic of Melvin, but just as he presses the button for the photo, Melvin, being a typical kid just has to clown around for the camera!

Just look at all of these handsome mancats in one location! Get the smelling salts, ladies!

Back in his office, G. Jasper is tired, but he still has to confirm the guest list with Praline and doublecheck with Goma on the news coverage. Sweet Praline would never forgive him if everything wasn't just purrfect! G. Jasper looks at the clock and thinks a short nap won't be a problem. He falls asleep as he looks at his two ladies, as they are his favorite screensaver.

Will G. Jasper get everything completed on time? Will he have sweet dreams of Praline AND Maggy? Will fur fly at the party?

Stay tuned for the exciting conclusion of AS THE PAW TURNS . . .

Return Engagement: As the Paw Turns: The Deception

This was day 2 of As the Paw Turns.  I really enjoyed this one because it showed Sweet Praline's tender, motherly side, which not many people saw.

Sweet Praline has one of the loveliest homes in the village of Fursville, as befitting her position in the community. She had just made a fresh pot of blackberry tea, and some nip-biscuits, when she has a text message from Bhu telling her he would be delayed for their visit. Apparently, the Sheriff had contacted him; a client was in jail, and needed immediate counsel. 


Praline was not concerned. For you see, Melvin had stopped by unexpectedly. Praline has a special spot in her heart for dear little Melvin and likes to smother him with motherly advice and love. You see, Sweet Praline was not able to have little kitties of her own, which has always a sadness that she hides away where no one could see.


So the two lounged in the summer sunshine on Praline's front lawn, and she took the opportunity to give some "counsel" herself. Advising and teaching "little Mouchois" on all the peccadilloes of Fursville society, and how he must learn and grow to be a proper mancat.

Little did Praline know, while she and Melvin conversed on the front lawn, that behind the house, waiting for their "golden moment" were Goma, Romeo and Jasper. They would never tell, but the call to Bhu was little more than a ploy, a trick, by this "threesome". They wanted Bhu out of the way, so they could come courting Praline themselves! Oh, horrors!


Goma was bringing a bottle of expensive nip champagne, and wearing his best tie. Romeo had his box of chocolates, his hope renewed. Only he knew that inside the box were "caramel pralines," her favorite. Caramel pralines are the only thing Romeo knew were sweeter than Miss Praline. And Jasper brought a very special sunflower, grown in his own garden -- special with it's heart-shaped leaves; and of course, he brought Kong, something the two of them had enjoyed playing with together on past dates. The three were anticipating good things, good times.

Meanwhile, Maggy, having a bit of a hissy-fit over all the attention going toward Praline... decided to take up the town's "daring devil dog" on a country ride, and a lakeside picnic. It had been an invitation impossible to turn down... for she did have great affection for Khyra... and he even brought helmets, how considerate. She held tight to him as they rode off out of town...

The plot thickens . . .

Return Engagement - As the Paw Turns, Day 1

The drama begins . . .

The day starts out bright and sunny in the town of Furville . . .



Bhu BigFurs, Esq. is spotted leaving his law offices for a secret meeting with Sweet Praline. He had a special bouquet of pink roses (pink is Sweet Praline's favorite color) and just knew it would be a purrfect night for a date with his sweetness ... 

Mayor G. Jasper observed Bhu leaving with the roses and was considerably upset by this turn of events; he had no flowers, no wine, no nip... and no plans on courting Miss SPP today... After all, they just left each other a few hours ago . . .

Romeo had just approached, carrying his box of nip chocolates for Miss SPP, but sadly realized he would have to stop and nap for awhile because he was tired from his date with Miss Maggy Magster last night, and Bhu would get to her first! What a dilemma for Jasper and Romeo... how will they go on? How will they surpass Bhu's attentiveness..." After all, Miss Sweet Praline loves to be lavished with attention . . .


Stay tuned...

Memory Lane - Preview of "As the Paw Turns"

This was the preview of the premier of "As the Paw Turns".    I think the only kitty (besides Sweet Praline) who isn't blogging anymore is Melvin.  His mom moved across the country and he's mainly on FB now.  I hope I've whetted your appetite for the first day of the series tomorrow!

Join members of the Floof and Fur gang in the premiere soap opera, "As the Paw Turns."

"As the Paw Turns" is set in the village of Furville and is loaded with Himmies, who need lots of attention. Furville is run by Mayor Ginger Jasper, a handsome ginger Persian. As you can imagine, his job keeps him quite busy, especially with the beautiful (and sometimes vampy) ladycats, Sweet Praline and Maggy Magster.


Sweet Praline and Maggy Magster have their eyes on several of the handsome mancats in Furville - Bhu, Romeo, Goma, and Ginger Jasper, and sometimes they can get in a little bit of a spitfight over these handsome gentlemen. Sweet Praline has taken little Master Mouchois, aka Melvin, under her tutelage. Little does she know, Melvin works for Goma, the editor in chief of the Fursville Daily News.

The opening scene (beginning tomorrow) begins with Mayor Ginger Jasper, Dr. Romeo Montague, and Bhu all setting out to court Sweet Praline. Stay tuned . . .

Don't you just love my headshot?
My photo and costume are compliments of Zoey and the ZH, Ann at Zoolatry.

Memory Lane - Encore Presentation. . . As the Paw Turns

Back in August of 2009, there was a special week long soap opera that starred Sweet Praline along with several other members of the CB.  As part of Memory Lane, I thought I would bring back an Encore Presentation of "As the Paw Turns".  Be sure to come back each day this week for the exciting return of Sweet Praline in her starring role with many of the handsome mancats of the CB.  For those of you who missed this the first time around, I hope you enjoy it this time as much as we did the first time it was featured. 

Coming to a computer screen near you this week - the newest soap opera to hit the CB. All of us floofies are great friends and I love them all. I've been teasing you to get you ready for our soap opera. Did I get your attention?

Here's a list of the cast of characters who all reside in the Village of Fursville:

• BHU - Bhu BigFurs, Esquire (an attorney)
• GINGER JASPER - Ginger Jasper, Mayor of the Village of Fursville
• ROMEO - Dr. Romeo Montague, PhD., Renowned Doctor of Catpsychiatry and Village Counselor
• GOMA - Editor In Chief, Reporter/Journalist, Photographer/Artist for the Fursville Daily News
• SWEET PRALINE - Miss Sweet Praline Purrfect, the town's favored lady, a bit of a vamp, astute, charming, witty and enthralled by her many suitors (an attorney, a doctor, an editor and the mayor!!!!)
• MAGGY - Miss Maggy Magster, also a bit of a vamp... in competition with Miss SPP for at least one of the gents!
• MELVIN - Master Mouchois, a/k/a MELVIN... youth has it privileges (and so does his smaller size)... showing not only the curiousity of a cat, but the curiosity of youth... keeping an eye out on all the adults and their ongoing dramas... he has been known to "report" back to Goma (the Editor) on what he see's and hears . . .

Memory Lane - Easy Like Sunday (Earlier Years)

I found some pictures of Praline when she was in her younger years, taking it easy.  Many of these pictures are from when she was about 4-8 years of age.  Have a restful, easy Sunday!

 

Memory Lane - Photo Hunt - Cluttered Collage

Unfortunately for me, "cluttered" was an easy theme to put together for Photo Hunt today for Praline's memory lane collage.  My home office and bedroom closet are a wreck, but Praline loved to hang around the clutter.  If there was a sheet of paper on the floor, she was going to lie down on it.  She loved to sneak into the closets and hide.  I simply must clean out this clutter to get the place ready for the future!

Memory Lane - Eating Stinky Goodness

When Praline was younger, she was mainly fed dry food.  I would give her a "treat" of stinky goodness about once a month.  When she became a senior kitty, the vet suggested giving her stinky goodness everyday so we could get her medicine and stay hydrated.  The last couple of years when she got really sick once and had her surgery last year, I had to make sure she was eating her stinky goodness and she wouldn't eat it in the kitchen, so I moved her plate to the living room.  She began eating in the living room as long as I was in there.  The last couple of months, she only wanted to eat in my home office, as long as I was in there.  She was my little diva, but anything she wanted, I did for her.  I hope you enjoy this little video of her eating.