Whew! My breakity break is now over — it was actually over on Sunday night, but it was extended by a sick computer. Fortunately TheManoftheHouse was able to work some magic so now I can post!
Thanks for all of your great comments about my break. I’ve had fun reading them all. I’m sorry to disappoint those of you who were hoping I was off making fun things to share, but TheManoftheHouse and I have had a fantastic adventure and these two adorable kitties were the focus of our trip:
Many of you may recognize these cuties as the catlets from In This Life. I’ve long been a big fan of Isabelle’s blog, so in June/July when she mentioned on her blog that she was in need of a catlet cat-sitter in late October, I jumped up and down and begged and pleaded “Pick Me, Pick Me, Please Pick Me”!!! If you don’t recognize the catlets, you might be wondering why I would spend my vacation cat-sitting catlets when I have a fat catlet of my own. It’s because the Life Family lives here:
The famous city with the castle on the hill — Edinburgh Scotland! It was so exciting I could barely stand it all fall long. A trip to one of my favorite places in the whole world and a BIG blog meetup with Isabelle! Here we are in one of my traditional Wilson poses (and no, it’s not 2006, my map is old):
I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun I had meeting Isabelle and her wonderful family. They were the ultimate hosts. Mr. Life picked us up at the airport and we spent the evening with them before they left the next morning on their vacation. I felt like we were old friends who just hadn’t seen each other in a long time. We talked non-stop. Isabelle served us tea and cookies. We talked some more. Then we met Daughter2 and Isabelle’s mother, and Isabelle made dinner for all of us. And then, we talked even more. I wonder if we could have talked forever? Even the men seemed comfortable. The Life family was so gracious in entertaining us and explaining our catlet duties and I felt so guilty because surely they had preparations to make for their trip. (Maybe they didn’t sleep that night!)
And do you know what the best thing was? Isabelle and her family and the catlets and her home were just how I imagined them. She’s just as clever and witty and funny as she is on her blog. The whole Life family is just the nicest family you could ever hope to meet. I think we both had a lot of fun with the situation with our real-life friends, who all seemed to be scratching their heads. When I told my co-workers that I was going to cat-sit for a friend on my vacation they looked at me as if I’d lost my mind. Until I made them guess where my friend lived. (For some reason most of them guessed Hawaii. ???. Do I look like a Hawaii girl???)
Isabelle was so much more eloquent in her description of this whole blog-friend phenomenon than I could ever be. I love how she expressed it as an intimacy. You should go read it and you’ll know why I’m such a big fan. (You should also go see the adorable pictures she took of a catlet and Daughter2 wrapped up in a ribbon just for me. I’ll take them both Isabelle!)
Now, back to the catlets. I feel like their auntie. I’ve been with them since they arrived at the Life household and I’ve watched them become teenagers. They seemed to adjust pretty easily to our presence. But then, I arrived with a kitty favorite — yarn. What’s not to love? After the first night, Sirius warmed up to me and spent every night thereafter on my legs as I knit. (I knew to put my legs up from seeing pictures of Sirius happily stretched out on Mr. Life’s legs.)
Cassie, on the other hand, was a little more aloof. While Sirius wanted to play most evenings, she was sleeping. In contrast, Sirius went out to conquer the neighborhood first thing every morning, but Cassie stayed around for her time with the yarn ball (not so much me, but the yarn ball). Don’t worry, the catlets were never left unsupervised with the yarn — I’ve learned that hard lesson with TheEmptyNestChild.
Cassie made up for her aloofness by the end of the week though. She very politely begged us not to go on the evening before we left. (Notice the kittycat version of red-eye LOL.)
TheManoftheHouse and I couldn’t have felt more welcome…by the entire family. And as an added bonus, we met the adorable Daughter1 and her husband. They came to visit one night and on another night we even had dinner with them and Isabelle’s charming mother. I was sorry that Isabelle and Mr. Life weren’t there (and that we weren’t able to meet the famous Dr.Son), but really, how cool was that? If I didn’t have the pictures to prove that the whole trip happened, I might not believe it myself. When I started my little blog almost 2 years ago, I never, EVER imagined that it would lead to actually meeting a blog friend, let alone a blog friend in another country. And what the heck — now we’re international cat-sitters!
So, I’ll stop writing now so you can rest. When I come back I’ll tell you about the rest of our trip (with more bloggy meet-ups). I took something like 1200 pictures. !!!. Don’t worry, I won’t make you look at all of them, but I think it’s an indication of what a great trip we had. The weather wasn’t always the best, but it was perfect for Scotland. This occurred almost every day — except for when it snowed.
Isabelle was so worried that the weather didn’t cooperate, but we were so excited to be in Scotland, we hardly noticed. Besides, when you get lots of rain, you get lots of rainbows.
We’re lucky to see a few rainbows a year here in the midwest, but I think we must have seen one almost every day in Scotland. They were beautiful! Now when I see a rainbow, I’m going to think of The Life Family. I can’t thank them enough for the tremendous opportunity they gave to us. I only wish we could repay the favor. Don’t you want to come to our cornfields Isabelle? I could show you the Ugly Tree and TheEmptyNestChild and Amish people. And maybe my quilty peep Jewels could hook Mr. Life up with a train or two. Think about it LOL!!!
XOXO,
Anna
WOW! Thimbleanna, that was SOME catsitting you did! WOW! WOW! WOW! The kitties are adorable, too! Did you get to go see the castle, too?
Glad you had a great time, but really, really glad you’re back in blogland!
S.W.A.K.
http://www.CuteStuffInside.blogspot.com
I’ll bet you had an amazing time!!!!! I’ve always wanted to go to Edinburgh- I’ll take that over Hawaii any day. (unfortunately, farmer husband would beg to differ) The blogger peep meet-up sounds wonderful and the kitties are adorable! Can’t wait to hear more about the trip.
So pleased you had a great time!!!! And those cats are just beautiful!!! I had all 4 of my little people howling at breakfast this morning because they are missing our cat! :(
Such an amazing story and adventure!
The cats are beautiful!
Oh my oh my, what a wonderful trip! I guessed from your email that you must have been in the UK, but Edinburgh? You are very lucky. I’ve only been once, for work, and it was a flying visit so we saw very little of the city. I’d love to go back one day.
Sounds just wonderful Anna! So happy for you and the Hubby. The cats look really cute too. Glad you are back safe and sound. xoxo
What a fabulous adventure! Sounds like a wonderful time…
Welcome back Anna!! Your cat-sitting trip sounds like a perfect arrangement and to be in Edinburgh just makes it even better!
So glad you got to see some good Scottish rain – there’s nothing quite like it :-)
xxx
This is the stuff novels are made from. What a grand adventure indeed! Those black cats are beautiful, not to diminish TheEmptyNestChild.
Welcome home.
WOW! What a great trip! A trip of a life time! I’m so glad you and your husband had such a wonderful time and made new friends! I look forward to hearing more about it and seeing some more pictures! Have a great day!
Sounds like you had a wonderful time…we were in Scotland at the end of August and we saw a rainbow when we were there too…and I thought it was the Irish that had rainbows and pots of gold!! :o)
Oh My GOSH. The opportunity of a lifetime. How fabulous to go to Scotland, meet a friend, spend time in her home with two luxurious cats and site see! Anna, this was more than just a blog vacation. It was an adventure of only one of a kind.
What a great adventure! I would love to hear and see more about it!
Jen :)
Great photos Anna! I for one am VERY pleased you went to Isabelle’s to cat-sit! A brilliant idea!!!
Lucy x
WOW – what a great experience! So glad you had such a nice time! And, welcome back! =)
The catlets are blushing under their fluff after all that admiration! I can assure you, Thimbleanna-readers, that my family and cats were SO happy to meet Anna and TheManoftheHouse and SO grateful for their cat-sitting helpfulness. Anna is just as delightful as she seems on her blog and TMofH is lovely too.
Isn’t the blog world wonderful?
What she didn’t tell you is that – even though they were doing US a favour – she brought us that beautiful blue quilt she posted about a few weeks ago. What an amazing present. We’ll cherish it for ever and leave it to our favourite child in our wills. (Tricky choice…) I’ll bet you wish you’d thought of asking her to cat-sit…
WOW! Look at you! Like, super blogger or something. All catlet-sitting in another country for a bloggy friend. Love it :)
Anna, how wonderful!!! I can’t imagine how much fun you had. I just have one little tiny question, why didn’t you take me with you? That must have been a dream vacation.
Anna
Your mysterious comment about visiting the same coffee house I blogged about makes sense now. Lucky you. Did you experience the J K Rowling effect and start writing a bestseller curled up with the Scottish kitties?
Glad to have you back
W
Missed you, Miss Thimble, but WOW, what a wonderful time cat-sitting in SCOTLAND!! How cool is that? I’m looking forward to more adventures (and pics)
Jody
Sounds like a fun trip! Did you get to tour the castle on the hill?
:) Diana
I’m here via Molly and Isabelle, this was a great story!
Thimbleanna! I’m not the only one embarking on a new career, courtesy of yourself and Isabelle! I definitely think you should chuck your job. Go into the international cat-sitting business. Look at all the experience you can point to. Isabelle gave you such a glowing recommendation, not to mention the soulful [if non-verbal] endorsements from Cassie and Sirius! You’ll have folks from far and wide lining up for your services. Come to think of it, TMOTH should retire early [now!] so you can both get started.
Those catlets get more adorable every time I see them. I’m curious….do they have a wee bit of a Scottish burr to their meows?
Glad you all had such a nice time…..
Hi Anna!!!! Welcome back my friend! Today Duhgall was treated to a very sweet postcard from you and we were VERY surprised to first get a postcard and second – all the way from Scotland!! Geez! Oh, and I wonder how you got our addy? Hmmm….Miss Jean perhaps? LOL. Thank you so VERRA much (a wee Scottish brogue there) for the thoughtfulness! I was totally giggling at the mailbox. If neighors were watching they would have thought I was a bit wonky. ha!
Glad to hear you had a wonderful “blog break!” That is quite some blog break indeed. Lucky you to go to Scotland! Sirius (love the name) looks so much like the cat our family had when I was a little girl. What a sweet story of your trip. I will have to wonder over to visit Isabelle.
Glad you are home safe!
xoxo
Becky and Duhgall
PS: I am reading the book “Outlander” that is a story set in Scotland. LOVE it!
oh anna.
did you break up with me and forget to tell me?
i loved reading about your trip.
welcome home!!!
aaaaaye.
you’ll have to start planning your next adventure (after christmas!)
b.
What a WONDERFUL adventure!!! So glad you’re back, and even more glad that you had such a marvelous time.
xo
This has been so much fun reading your post! Sounds like you had a wonderful time, I really want to get up to Edinbugh one day (have you read the “Scotland Street” books by Alexander McCall Smith? House sitting for fellow bloggers is such a great idea. So looking forward to hearing more about your trip and adventures
Kimx
Anna, you’re back!!! What an adventure you had – I can’t wait to see all your photos and read all about the wonderful adventures you had! Thank you so very much for the postcard. It is a very treasured object now, and has a place of honor in my sewing room. I am very pleased you took the time to think of me – thank you again.
Welcome back!! I’ve missed you!
Sophie says thank you very much for the kitty photos!
I am glad you had a fun and safe trip! I love the UK… My husband and I have been to England several times with and without the little ones, and I love the countryside. It is SO beautiful! I hope you post more photos for us to salivate over!
Oh, you adventurous woman! Looks wonderful — the closest I will get for awhile is re-reading the Outlander series!
WOO HOO your back here sister. Enjoyed reading about your adventures – what a treat to see that side of the pond. Waiting for more :).
Hugs – karen
what a perfect adventure…and the kitties look so cute…I am babysitting a demon cat right now who wants to shred both the Babe and I and our belowed kitty tencents. Sequestration is the name of the game right now…it has been two days and this is the first day demon has not hissed at me continually…only one little hiss today.
What a great adventure! Love your pics :)
Wow! What more can I say??? Wow! You’ve rendered me speechless. Not an easy thing to do, I might add. Wow, Anna! Lucky you!
Cassie
Wow – what a wonderful trip you must have had! I’ve heard of housesitting on a vacation but never cat-sitting! I bet Scotland is beautiful. We went to Ireland a several years ago, loved it and would go again in a minute! Glad to have you back in the good ol USA Bloggerland!
OMG what an exciting trip!!! You are one lucky girl. Love the photo of you. I think I recognize YOU!!!
Now that’s an exciting cat-sitting story! :)How wonderful of you to do that and how wonderful to meet such a fun blogging friend—IN SCOTLAND, no less! I will be checking back soon to read the next chapter of this fab trip!
(I went to Scotland on a vacation once. We lived in England at the time and took the ferry over. It truly is a beautiful place.)
where does the time go? I felt sad that we didn’t meet up but I’m sure we will one day! I love your bunny tale, you are quite mad! Your jammies and slippers look so comfy and pretty. I have some old material rotting somewhere that perhaps will become so jammies for me!
I was just checking to see if you were back from your break and low-and-behold… you’ve been to Scotland. I love Isabelle! She’s one of the first people I got to know when I started blogging. What fun to cat-sit for her and spend a bit of time with the family.
Have you seen the BBC Monarch of the Glen series? If not… I bet you’ll adore them (several years worth). Available on Netflix.
Off to read your bunny post as I saw little ears poking up from below.
~Joni
Okay, lemme get this straight. You flew over the big, blue ocean, where two cat-lings stared at you for days while it rained and/or snowed, and then got back on the plane and flew home again, home again, jiggety-jig?
You do know I’d feed you chocolate croissants and pecan stickies and even make you chocolate-chocolate cake for a visit… I’ll even bring an ill-tempered cat to the shop, if you’d like. Or how ’bout a crafty chicas weekend at Becher Haus? I know Melly would magically appear for you, too. Miss you just turrible. Glad you’re back! C
What a wonderful opportunity of a lifetime. And those cats are something else. I would love to get a picture of them with my two solid white cats!
Wonderful trip you have had!! How lovely that you got to meet the Lifes, & cat sit the Catlets! Loved this obviously joyous post!
Wow! what an amazing blog break you had!! I never in a million years would have guessed what you were doing! Those kitties are adorable. Glad you’re back :)
Oh my goodness, don’t tell Miss Luna, but those may be the cutest cats I’ve ever seen! I love their eyes.
Your photos of Scotland in the posts up above are all so beautiful Anna, and oh my what a fun storyteller you are. I’m glad that you enjoyed such a wonderful time.
My mother in law visited Scotland and told me that it was beautiful. Now I can see how very right she was. Thank you for sharing.
Best adventure ever. Lemme try that again… BEST ADVENTURE EVER! This is all so amazing, Anna. WOW! Behold the goodness of the internet.