Flip Friday: The Contest!!

SO, we all know how much you love Flip Friday.

Really. Zoe and I are aware of Her X-treme Popularity.

We'd like YOU to get in on the Cinematic Action!!

This idea came from Friend, Reader, and Dedicated Rabbit Lover, Emma.

Emma said, one day in an email to me, "Why don't you have a contest? You know, an Eat Like A Rabbit Contest. Have people send in videos of themselves eating their salad like Rabbits. It will be a contest. The winner will get an autographed picture of Miss Zoe!"

Well, it was something like that. I put it in quotes, but it was sort of a paraphrase. Sorry to all those fellow English teachers in the audience.

Zoe was pretty darn excited about this idea. She suggested adding pictures to the mix, too, though. "Not everyone has a video camera or can easily or quickly make a video," she said.

We are therefore, splitting the Contest into a Video Contest and a Photo Contest.

Here's the Rules:

1. Make a video or take a picture of
Yourself or Someone you Love
Eating a Salad Like a Rabbit!!!

(Remember that Eating like a Rabbit entails using no utensils or hands).

2. Post your Eating Like a Rabbit Photo or Video
to your blog, link back to this Contest,
and let me know that you've posted
by leaving Zoe a comment here.

OR IF
YOU DON'T
HAVE A BLOG
(Which Miss Zoe Can't Understand,
since She feels so obligated to have
one for Her fans.)

3. Email your Eating Like a Rabbit Photo or Video
to Zoe and me at
zoejobie (at) gmail (dot) com

Judging will be done by Emma, whose Big, Crazy Brain this idea came from (thanks for agreeing to be a judge, Emma. You did agree right? Whew!) and MISS ZOE!!!!

The Winners will be announced on March 5, 2010-- on Miss Zoe's Birthday!!

Now for inspiration. Watch closely!! Then, do it yourself! Gather your friends!! Or, make your kids do it. What else are children for, after all?

OK.....GO!!!!

Miss Zoe: Killer Bunny!

These days, the Lilypad is a place of contrasts.

What I mean is this: We just lost one of our best friends, Miss Rosie, so we are in the process of grieving.

But at the same time, a lot of excitement is happening with the Chick's Yogadance, my art and writing, and the usual Fun Things that happen here every day. It can get a little confusing, the mood swings from feeling good to feeling not so good to feeling good again.

I know this is normal. It can be hard to move on and feel good about enjoying life when you are also feeling sad. You wonder, "How can I be happy without this thing in my life that/who I loved so much?"

The Chick emailed me at work yesterday. She was having a hard time feeling like writing, let alone writing something of any substance. She was feeling sad. So, I suggested posting something silly or something healing or some pictures of something that were somehow helpful. That's what she did.

I'm going to take my own advice today. I'm going to post something that makes me laugh.

It will either make you laugh or it will scare you. I'm not sure which. I thought I'd say that to prepare you.

If you've seen this, it might scare you:


OK, so now are you ready to run away?

Presenting, Miss Zoe: KILLER BUNNY!!!!

What? It's just a harmless little bunny!!!

RABBIT TEETH!!!! (detail)

NOW, you'd better run!!!!

Just don't run too far. Rabbit movies will be here on Friday.

Miss Rosie is Still the Boss of Me

Rosie and me.

It was a strange weekend.

For the last month and half, we've been pretty focused on Rosie-- does she need a snack? Is she coughing? Should we get her up and make her walk around a little? Does she need something?

It was hard for us to let her rest. We wanted to squeeze out every possible moment with her that we could. We wanted to do all we could for her and meet her every need, but we also didn't want to miss any time with her.

Each day with her felt precious.

And now, with her gone, I find myself looking in her sleeping spots and simply missing her. Her sweet gray fur suit was in my sight everyday for the last 15 years.

It's just hard to let that go.

But, we're doing our best. We are doing so much better with Rosie.

Ernie was unexpected. Completely.

Jobie was not unexpected, but when he went to Sparkle Pond after so many months of sickness and discomfort, we were lost. When he was gone, it was like our day had no structure left. Each and every day had become about taking care of him. Each day was comprised of the struggle to feed him and to make him as comfortable as we possibly could.

With Rosie, it was as though she gave us a gift. No long, agonizing decline. She was very efficient. And no vet. She made the decision to leave this earth on her own terms.

We are so thankful for that.

On the morning of her death, Rosie meowed at me. I hadn't heard her use her voice in many weeks.

On the morning of her death, Rosie came out to the kitchen for breakfast and tried to climb up on her little red stool. She'd not done that in many weeks, either.

You've seen this before, but it's sooooo cute!!!

All these things were gifts. And if there's anything I want to remember about Rosie, it is this: That She Was a Gift.

That each day with her, each day on this earth, each day we meow and try to get on our stool, these are gifts.

My tribute to Rosie is to live. To live as fully as I can, doing the things I enjoy, and to love the things around me that are a part of my life, both in the Lilypad and out.

This is a reminder to you to LIVE YOUR LIFE.

Or, Rosie's going to kick your butt.

And, she's serious.

It may look like a yawn, but.. LOOK OUT!!!

(Not a) Flip Friday

Last night, our Beloved Rosie the Cat packed up and moved to Sparkle Pond.

We are excited for her in her travels. We know she has already met up with Jobie, who was her best friend for so many years, and who she has been missing for the past couple of years since he went to Sparkle Pond.

She's also met up with Ernie cat, but as she wasn't that fond of him here in the Lilypad, chances are, that reunion will just be more of a head nod and an "Oh, it's you."

We both had a feeling about Rosie yesterday. For days, she seemed to be doing so much better, and then suddenly, her breathing was difficult and she just seemed different, like something had shifted.

She died very peacefully, though, tucked up in her favorite blanket hideaway upstairs. We were there with her, petting her and talking to her. It was perfect. She just slipped away.

We should all be that lucky.

Rest in peace Sweet Rosie Cat.
We'll miss you so much.
We were so fortunate to know you and to be a part of your life.
We love you!

Animals So Cute You Could Just Vomit

As I was thinking through what to write about for today (I actually did have a few ideas that Zoe didn't care for), I began to scroll through the pictures in my iPhoto, and it suddenly and with great urgency became quite clear to me what I had to write about today:

ANIMALS SO CUTE YOU COULD JUST VOMIT!!!

There are so many cute Animal pictures on my computer, it seems a shame not to share them. Or re-share them. That's a little like re-gifting, I guess.

First, we have some butt shots (look away, please, if you are easily offended):

NOT FAT!!! Fluffy!

A Derriere! Hmmm...a little rude, but wait

Oops, wrong one!

There we go. A little modesty, Rabbit! Please!!

OK, never mind. That's just cute.

The Business End of Miss Lilly

OK, please don't ask what Miss Emmie's
butt is doing in this picture.
It's... complicated.

Now, some full on head shots:

Rosie the Cat is bored and annoyed with you. Please walk away slowly.

But, Toby wants to PLAY!!!!

Scottie hams it up.

Again, please don't ask about Miss Emmie.
Complicated, remember?

Wait! How'd they get in there? HALF!!!

Let's hone in on LIPS for a moment:

I mean, WOW!!!!

And, now, FEET:

SO many feet and hands!
Can you count them all?

Finally, things just so cute, you'd better get the bucket. NOW!!!!




Oh, and one more thing: A Rabbit to cleanse your palette:

"After all those CATS,
you need to cleanse your palette.
Believe you me!"

Well, there you have it!

What's so cute in YOUR life that you could just vomit?

(Disclaimer: the Chick here...HELLO!?!?! I no longer have those braces and my white hairs are covered and well...I do NOT hang out with that SHEEP!)

(Pay no attention to that disclaimer. She SOOOO hangs out with that sheep.)

We'd like to Thank Zoe's Fans...

Today is a Proud Day for Zoe and me. We won an award!!

The Kreativ Blogger Award.

We were bestowed with the award from Jeanne Klaver from the blog Daily Reflections from Atwater Pond.

We have to reveal a little secret about Jeanne Klaver before we go on, and that is this: when she first started commenting on the Chick's blog, I noticed her name right away. It comes up as JFKlaver when she comments, and for some reason, unbenownst to me, I read it as JKFlaver, and so she has been forever called by this, her Official Rap Name (apparently) within the walls of the Lilypad.

She may be chagrined to hear this. But, Zoe assured me that it will make her laugh!

So the rules of this award are as follows:

1. Thank the person giving the award.

THANK YOU JKFLAVER!!!!

2. Copy the award to this blog.

3. Place a link to their blog.

Daily Reflections from Atwater Pond

4. Name 7 things people don't know about you.

5. Nominate 7 bloggers who you admire (WHAT? ONLY 7???)

6 Place a link to these bloggers

7. Leave a comment on their blog notifying them of the award.

So, here's my 7 things:

1. My lucky number is 14.

2. I want to live in space.

3. I've lived in 2 houses that have burned down (I had nothing to do with either one!!)

4. My favorite penguin is the Jackass Penguin (it's real!! see for yourself):



5. I took piano lessons for 8 years, saxophone lessons for 5 years, and voice lessons for 2 years

6. When I was in Austria, I took the opportunity to yodel and to visit Mozart's apartment

7. I love rabbits!!!!

Oh, wait, did you already know that last one?

OK, replay number 7: I love cats!!!!

Ooops, I did it again.

Let's see..... 7. I used to have a collection of mannequin hands. How I got them will be saved for the next list of "Things you don't know about me and wish I hadn't told you."

I'm supposed to pass this onto 7 bloggers that I enjoy and that's always super hard for me...but here goes:

1. StorytellerDoc and not just because he's in our writing group but because if you don't read him, you should!

2. Jennifer Hayes Art because she makes the most awesome wool bunnies ever!

3. Nerdy Renegade because I like anyone who so publicly acknowledges their inner Nerd.

4. Playing Connect the Dots with the Universe because she is a faithful Servant to the Rabbit. (Did we say that out loud?)

5. She Who Seeks because we love MITTENS and Canada RULES!

6. A Clear Path to Happy because we honor all Sparkle Cats.

7. Linda because she is living and writing in Erie and has some awesome photos on her blog of the place I love!

8. Anonymous because she/he/it says it best when they write "I want not approve on it. I regard as polite post. Expressly the title attracted me to be familiar with the sound story."

And THAT is why I blog.

Flip Friday

Are you getting tired of Rabbit movies?

I mean, week after week after week-- RABBIT MOVIES!!!

You can be honest. Zoe is not paying attention. She just got fresh hay.

You can think it over and send a secret, coded message. Be careful not to implicate yourself, though. Try and get some unsuspecting person to deliver the news for you, if you can. Think about the most unsuspecting person you know. That person will be your messenger.

Poor messenger.

For those of you NOT tired of the Rabbit movies (Shhhh....Miss Zoe's out of the hay and hopping over!!!), which would be ALL OF YOU who are NOT TIRED OF RABBIT MOVIES, here is this week's WONDERFUL FANTABULOUSLY SPECTACULAR......

LAPIN CINEMATIQUE!
(or something like that. I took Spanish. Lo siento!)

"The Nose" from marcy hall on Vimeo.

Another Salad Movie from marcy hall on Vimeo.

All of us here at the Lilypad wish you a Happy Weekend (as long as you're nice tot he Rabbit, that is!!)

Dream a Last Dream

Miss Zoe patiently awaits the end of these confounded dreams.

You know, I can't even tell where I am in the numbering of my dream posts. It's just like me to start counting to 10 and to have lost track by the time I've gotten to 5.

Just ask the Chick. I am easily distracted.

Be that as it may... Zoe is demanding that we move on to other topics (I'm not sure what She has in mind, but I'm sure it will have Something to do with the Importance of Rabbits as opposed to the importance of human concerns of any kind), and so for now, today's dream post will be the last of its kind.

Since I've started writing these dreams down for you, I've had many others, of course, and I told Zoe as much the other day. The discussion went a little like this:

"You know, I have had other interesting dreams in the last few weeks that I could share, Zoe."

Big Rabbit Sigh. Big Rabbit Yawn.

"Do You want to hear them, Oh, Wise and Beautiful Bunny?" I said, kissing Her Rabbit behind with my words.

"What are they about?" She asked as She tapped Her Claws on Her slate tiles.

Tap, tap, tap.

"All sorts of things!!" I said, excited that She wanted to hear them. "I've had a dream about a Full Moon, a dream about a Crescent Moon, a dream about a Red Tailed Hawk..." My voice trailed off as She looked away.

"But are they FUNNY?" she said simply, not looking at me, still tapping Her Claws.

"Uh.... wellllllll.... " I swallowed. "Nope. I guess not."

"I rest My case," Zoe said as She hopped into the hay box. Then She added, "My hay could use a fluffing, in case you hadn't noticed."

OK, so Zoe's right. Those dreams aren't funny. This last dream I have to share with you actually isn't as much funny as it is weird (I guess like any of them). So here it goes.

In this dream, I am jogging or running (I don't really know the difference). I was in the small town where I went to college, New Wilmington, PA, (a bit of an AmishTown, USA). I was running along the sidewalks, waving at Amish people in their horse drawn buggies. I felt really good-- my breathing was perfect, my strides were just right.

I got to the actual "downtown" of New Wilmington (and I say "downtown" because it's not so much a "downtown" as a pizza shop and a general store) and I stopped in front of a store front that was filled with television screens. Every TV screen was filled with some news show telling about a Nuclear disaster of some kind.

(Side note: SEE??? NOT funny!!! This part is unusual for me-- a dream about disaster? Not me. I dream about cats in the coffee aisle, for goodness sake!! This part of the dream came about because I had just read Douglas Coupland's book Generation X, and while I can't now tell you what that novel is about, I have always blamed it for this part of this dream, so it must be something about fear of Nuclear disaster that takes place in the mind of Generation Xers like myself.)

Here comes the good part!

So I think to myself, "Why am I watching these televisions when I was having such a nice jog/ run?" and I turn to keep going, and suddenly, I am surrounded by....

FLOATING CAT HEADS!!!!

Everywhere. Floating cat heads. They float slowly by in a flock. They make me smile and laugh, and, though they are obviously a little freaky (disembodied cat heads? COME ON!! FREAKY!!), I generally like them, and they make me feel at ease.

Then, I woke.

Miss Emmie plays the role of
"Floating Cat Head"
like nobody's business!!

And so, there you have it. A dream to consider during your day.

Interpretations, anyone?

Welcome, Monday!

Zoe and I had a great weekend.

How about you?

Are you wondering what was good about Zoe's weekend?


Well?
Zoe had a hard week. You can see from these pictures how She was forced to go up the stairs.

She needed some rest.

So, while Zoe rested, the Chick and I had a really busy Saturday. In the morning, we got Rosie the Awesome Cat some baby food. That's what she's onto now. Other food doesn't sound so good. What sounds good to her is baby food, as fed to her on our fingers and hands.

Totally fine. She is our Little Princess.
Then, we tried out a new Vegetarian/ vegan cafe in town called The Singing Bowl. YUM! I had the BLT with tempeh bacon, which was completely delish. We also stopped at the discount dance supply tore nearby to get the Chick some shoes for ballroom dancing. That was a great success!

Later in the day, we had a friend over to discuss a Tarot Party that we're going to host for her. That was fun, and we got lots of planning done.

Zoe continued to rest on Sunday, while I painted. Here's some stuff I worked on:

The Chick with Toby

Self Portrait with Zoe

What did you do over the weekend?

Certainly you didn't work as hard as a Bunny all week. We're not sure if you deserve rest.

Face it-- you will NEVER work as hard as a Bunny. NEVER!

Flip Friday

"How do these things happen???"

I was dismayed to realize last week, after I had already posted some kind of message about the New Year or some such, that I DID NOT POST A RABBIT MOVIE!!!!

(I would appreciate if this stay our little secret. I don't think that Zoe noticed, and I'd like to keep it that way. Are you cool with that?)

Anyhow, time to get back to the movies.

Right?

RIGHT!!

First, a movie from the Lilypad's New Orange Star!

Toby the Kitten from marcy hall on Vimeo.

And, now...A Certain Rabbit will grace you with Her Presence!!

Zoe and the Grass Ball from marcy hall on Vimeo.

Happy Weekend!!

Ring Around Miss Rosie

Zoe and I had about three other things to write about today.

Then, life took a different turn, and since I'm somewhat single-minded about this subject and since I am thankful for the outcome, we thought we'd share that instead.

Do you recall last week, when we mentioned that Miss Emmie and Miss Rosie seemed to have colds? Just like little kids, they were coughing and sneezing and had little runny noses. (I even found myself at one point with a tissue pressed to Miss Emmie's nose yelling, "Blow!" like I used to do to my niece when she was little. You know-- in that awkward stage before kids learn to blow out, but their nose is so obviously running!)

Miss Emmie got better. They both seemed to get better. But then, Miss Rosie seemed to not be getting better. She went up and down, like she couldn't decide.

Rosie is 18 years old. According to a cat age calculator, this makes Rosie about the equivalent of a 90 year old human. She has been exhibiting subtle changes in her activity level and in her eating over the last couple of years. But frankly, we thought she was just "slowing down."

Our sweet Jobie, who left for Sparkle Pond two years ago this month was Rosie's best friend. We thought she missed him and was maybe getting ready to make her own trip to Sparkle Pond.

We were trying to be OK with that. We even talked to her about it.

Back and forth we went about taking her to the vet. She hates going to the vet. As a kitten, she used to foam at the mouth and growl like a crazy possessed thing when taken to the doctor. We didn't want to stress her with a trip for what we thought was "normal aging."

But then, yesterday, the Chick called me at work and explained to me some of Rosie's new symptoms. None of them seemed to match up with anything specific. We had thought maybe she had heart problems, but that wasn't quite right. If she had a respiratory infection, that would have other symptoms, too, and should have gotten all the cats sick.

Anyhow, we ended up taking her to the vet last night. They understood our low stress wish and only took blood for two tests: one to check her kidneys, and one to check her thyroid. Right away, they told us her heart sounded perfect and her lungs sounded clear. (Whew!) About an hour after we got home, they called to say her kidneys are also perfect!! (WHEW!!)

We are still waiting on the thyroid test, but it could be that whatever is wrong with Miss Rosie is easily fixed by some medication. She could have years left!!

Now, of course, we now why she was giving us that look when we would talk about Sparkle Pond!! She was like, "Hello??? I'm RIGHT HERE!!!"

Poor Rosie. Humans aren't very smart, as Zoe can attest to.

Anyhow, we'll keep you posted. But for now, it looks like Rosie's not interested in Sparkle Pond at all.

"She might be interested in kicking your butts, though."

Thanks, Zoe. We'll keep that in mind.

What's the Word?

"Well, what is it? I'm waiting..." (tap tap tap)

(Looks like Someone needs to trim Her claws. Ahem.)

Lots of people choose words for the year nowadays. Zoe and I think this is a really cool idea.

It's sort of like choosing a mantra. It gives you a criteria of sorts. Something to work on. Something to center you and bring you back to your path if you should step off.

Zoe and I have both been thinking about our words. (Truthfully, I think I may have thought a little more about it than the Rabbit.)

Last year, my word was Truth. Satya.

The goal for me was to be more Truthful. The meaning of that seems obvious, right? I don't mean to suggest that I'm a pathological liar. I mean to say, however, that I was searching for my own Truth and struggling to be more honest with myself and those around me about not only where I want to go in my life, but also how I want to get there.

It ended up that Truth meant for me making conscious choices about whom I want to dictate that path. Do I dictate that path? Or, does the world around me dictate that path?

Of course you know the answer.

THE RABBIT! The Rabbit is in charge of all decisions!!!

Sorry. Miss Zoe got control of the keyboard for a moment.

So, I was saying... Truth.

What was most amazing to me was how I would pretty much forget that I even had a word, but that it kept coming back as a theme, and I would be taken a bit aback by the synchronicity of it all. Something would happen, and later I would think, "Oh, yeah, that makes sense. It's all part of the theme." Truth kept indirectly (or perhaps very directly) moving me along on my year's journey.

Cool.

I'm still working on Truth. That seems sort of like a life-long kind of project, doesn't it? But it's a new year, and therefore, a new word must come along to help Truth out a little.

This year's word is an extension of last year's. Learning to be more Truthful is one thing, but for me the second half of that is Feeling the Truth.

2010's word? FEEL.

I'm a bit of an idiot savant in the repression department, so for me FEEL is a big one. Big One!

I will be more mindful of Feeling my emotions.

I will be more aware about how those Feelings affect my every day experience.

I will learn how those Feelings shape and mold me into a Bigger and Better me.

I will FEEL and not be fearful.

(Of course, I will unabashedly FEEL the Softness of the Rabbit.)

That is my vow for 2010.
As for the Zoe, She still hasn't come up with anything. But She is open to your suggestions.

Let your ideas flow freely. Perhaps She will choose YOUR SUGGESTION!!

Happy New Year

2009 has come to an end!! Zoe and I can hardly believe it!!

It was one year ago when Zoe and I decided we were just going to start writing a blog, and I have to say, it certainly has been fun. We've gotten to know so many new and wonderful people.

"And," Zoe says as she hops to the hay box, "I have received some wonderful gifts."

Very true, Zoe. (She is hoping for more in the future. Rabbits!!)

Anyhow, we want to thank you for your support over this past year.

In fact, Zoe is going to pour a glass of Champagne right now and drink a toast TO YOU!!!

What a thoughtful Rabbit.

HAPPY 2010!!!