murphy in astoria

i'm two today

2010-06-23T20:01:00.002-04:00

It's my second birthday. Woo-hoo. I thought I'd be all home alone like that movie with the kid that Kansas actually likes but she wasn't feeling well today so she came home sick from work and kept me company. We napped, it was awesome. She's pretty fun, even when she's been glutened (I have no idea what that means but that's the current analysis).

And last night Mookie and Kansas gave me a great present- a new Bird. No silly, not a real bird. It's a toy that Mookie and I play with pretty much every day. I love it.

Seriously, you should get one of these. Or come over and play with me. I have lots of toys and I am good at sharing. Really, I am.

What else.... since it's been forever since I blogged. We are still loving Queens. And Mookie and Kansas are super busy with their plays and movies and writing. But never too busy to cuddle and feed me.

I can't really believe I get to live this life. I was a baby sleeping out in the rain or in the laundry room of an apartment building in Inwood (upper, upper Manhattan) and now have the greatest pad and the coolest people to take care of me. I am a lucky girl.

So I hear that people often have cake on a day like today (or they get treats baked for them by BB) but since I like to smell people food but not eat it, I will stick with my Cat Chow. Maybe I will sit in the window as the sun sets and watch the world go by. I hope today has brought you joy and I wish you many happy birthdays too.

Love and snuggles,

Murphy

i know, i know

2010-02-09T14:09:00.009-05:00

So I made some promises about a New Years Eve post... and I failed. And then I promised a Kansas Day post.... and I failed. But honestly, I cannot do this alone so yes, blame the redhead. It's her fault. But now that the snowpocalypse is coming (I'll believe it when I see it), there is actually time to dictate my thoughts and write this post.

So the holidays sucked it again. They left me, they left me (name that movie BB or Nordvig). All jokes aside, I had a great cat sitter named Johanna. She had these super long (and polished green) finger nails. She would come and visit everyday. Now I have to admit she was no BB or TK but they were in Ohio or nursing a baby (respectively). It wasn't so bad. Kansas wasn't in Kansas for that long and I helped her not be lonely until Mookie returned. Then we had New Years Eve together again. This time we did it up right. Movies and pizza, it was awesome. And champagne although they wouldn't let me have any of it.

Then January was okay but it has been C O L D in New York City. I have started to discover all kinds of new places to snuggle and sleep that are as close to the heaters as possible without burning my butt (a very important lesson, thank you Kansas for watching out for me). Sometimes it snows and I do like to watch the flakes fall. It came in through a hole in the screen so Kansas opened the window briefly and made a little snowball for me. I MUCH prefer that snow to stay on the other side of the glass. It is damn cold, no wonder these two wine about going outside. I get it now.

Kansas day was January 29th and I had to listen to some lame stories about elementary school assemblies and some raid by a guy named Quantrill. It was both scary and boring at the same time. Kansas and Mookie were both home for the day (Kansas had a day off work and Mookie was sick) so I think they picked me up about a thousand times. Seriously people, a girl needs her space. I'm not a baby.

Now it's February and the groundhog (I'm not sold on him yet, I think he's resting on past fame and Bill Murray's coat tails) said it's going to stay cold. So bring on the blankets and for goodness sake Nick keep the heat coming! I love it. And Mookie can always crack the window if he gets warm. Think about the kitten. That's my motto.

Valentine's Day is this Sunday and I plan on sniffing every single piece of chocolate in the house. I don't like to eat people food but hell, I'll smell anything. Seriously, anything. I especially love carbonated beverages. They rule. What girl doesn't love her Diet Dr. Pepper?!

Hmmm, what else. Well LOST has started back up again and I have some interesting theories myself but I don't want to be a spoiler for those of you not caught up on Season 5. Get with the program people!! I know he can be bad but I love Ben and John Locke is my hero. I mean, if I was somewhere scary I want Locke and Jack to take care of me, in a kind of dueling hero rotation. A girl's gott know who to trust.

I would promise not to take another two month gap in my blogging but I am a mercurial creature so I cannot make any promises. But know that you can always come visit. There's room next to me on the blanket, really there is our house is rather large... and I have a baby smurf toy from Lisa and a purple Wubba. See, endless hours of fun. And Astoria isn't that far away so I don't even want to hear it (unless you live in Lawrence, Kansas or Columbus, Ohio then you are forgiven).

Love and all that mushy stuff,

she's back....

2009-12-10T16:02:00.013-05:00

cat massage lady letterman
okay so last night as kansas and i were getting ready for bed (true, kansas was getting ready and i was have a snack) mookie bellows at us to get in the living room. apparently, your favorite cast massage lady and mine was about to be the guest on letterman. no way! really? cat massage on national tv?! can it be true?! yes, my dear readers it's true.

so we watch maryjean show dave how to massage a rather annoyed but extremely patient cat named henry. it was amazing and creepy and awesome. dave singing is my favorite part. love it. **okay, apparently the clip below doesn't have the singing, kansas is helping me find it...**

tk, this made us think of you. maybe maryjean can do some baby massage... okay, scratch that... that's a horrible thought. but eliza better come visit. my toys and i are ready to play.

without futher adieu....

more soon, i promise...

we're in pajamas here in queens

2009-11-26T13:33:00.006-05:00

hey there. so we are all home today. either it's a holiday or mookie & kansas quit their jobs. i'm kidding, i know it's thanksgiving.

so far we had a great breakfast (or brunch, really) and now we are alternating between watching football and this dog show. it had been decided that i get a pet of my own since some of the dogs in the "toy" category are very small. i would LOVE a pet of my own, as long as we don't have to fight over the litter box. back off sister (or brother) i was here first.

i think it's just talk. don't get too excited.

so on this day of extra cuddles and kisses, i am very thankful that i live in this great house with two pretty awesome people. i pretend to be too cool for school, and i sometimes act as if i couldn't care less about all the love and toys and blankets and play time, but i know how fortunate i am. i know that this set up is one in a million. and i dig it.

i am one lucky girl. so i am thankful for mookie and kansas and all the rest. everyone who's held me or petted me or make sure i have a clean bowl of water. thanks for keeping me off the streets and teaching me to be a part of the family.

i hope you are spending this day with those you love and i wish you a full belly and a long nap.

how i love the holidays...

where i spend my nights

2009-10-20T16:57:00.011-04:00

Now some of you might be asking yourself, I wonder where Murphy sleeps? She's talked about many places to nap and various pieces of furniture but hasn't mentioned bed time in a while. Funny you should ask because I've got a new thing going on.

Now Mookie has changed his nightly (or really late-night) patterns. He now gets up early and leaves me too. I've tried the pity trip thing, doesn't work so don't bother writing in with that advice. So.... around midnight the people in my house start getting ready for bed. Now about a week ago I shocked the shit (oops, not supposed to curse, sorry) out of them by climbing on the bed and waiting for them to come in. Seriously, it freaked them out. In a good way. They were all excited. Not the level of the Kiwi yelling (remember that boys and girls?!) but they got kind of squeaky.

So now the ritual is beginning to cement. After Kansas takes her shower (yes, TMI, deal with it) she scoops me up and it's time to go to bed. Since winter is coming the bed is extra awesome. How I love quilts. The thing is, I have to wait patiently (not my strong suit) until Kansas gets settled. Until the alarm clock is set and either the white noise machine is turned on or a movie is put in (no cable in the bedroom so it's cinema-time). Then, once she gets finally gets her jimmy legs in one place, I hop in between them, near her knees, and snuggle in for a good night's sleep (did I just quote "The Night Before Christmas"? I think I did! No wait, that's long winter's nap... same diff).

Now she has expressed to me that she can't stay like that all night but tough. I don't care. Suck it up woman. And they've tried to talk me into curling up between them, or curling up at Mookie's legs. Nope. I figured out what I want and there's no two ways around it. Sorry sister. The heart wants what it wants and when you rescue a kitten from the streets and spoil her, she's the boss.

Here's a fun picture from a few weeks ago. This is a little quilt MADE FOR ME by Grandma Hewitt. Thanks Gram, I absolutely love it. In fact, it's not a good day if I don't spent a huge amount of time on my rockin' blanket. I think I love the little bunnies the most.

So, curl up with the ones you love, and if they have the jimmy legs like Kansas- just do your best to keep them in line. And before you even ask, no I am not dressing up for Halloween. You can't top perfection people!

Love you,
Murphy

family adventure day (aka the day of shots)

2009-10-12T21:37:00.004-04:00

So today was interesting. Apparently, and no one asked me, it was decided that I was going to visit the vet today. I guess it's been a year since my shots and on the off chance that a raccoon with rabies gets into our apartment, I need to be protected. In a move of solidarity (or simply because they don't want to get all sniffy and clammy and feverish) Mookie and Kansas decided to get shots too. They kept complaining about how it hurt their arms. Babies.

Okay, to be honest with you, I really can't call them names. Because I have to admit, I was a bit of a whiny baby myself. My inner drama queen came out at the vet's office. I'm embarrassed to admit it but I hissed at the nurse, hey I don't know that woman, she could be evil. So I got weighed (a lady never tells her weight) and yes the famous butt-thermometer action happened. Then I got two shots, not one like they did, but two. One in the back and one in the butt. Not my favorite few minutes.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you about my cool new carrier. It is called the taco, well that's it's unofficial name and I'm sure it originated from Kansas. Mookie calls it the Gato Taco, clearly he's had an identity crisis and thinks he's from Mexico or something (which he is clearly not, he's from the Midwest, very much so). So my carrying case, it's red and zips up. And while it is an improvement from the cardboard box (I know, so embarrassing) it still doesn't make going outside any more exciting. I hate it. I enjoy my view of the world from the living room window, I don't need to be out in it with all the trucks and barking dogs. No way jose.

After the trip to the vet we came home and all relaxed. Mookie and I took a nap and Kansas worked on her computer. Then it was dinner, a bit of house cleaning and now some strange documentary on the History Channel. All in all I want to thank Columbus for giving us this day together. I'm not really sure who he was but I love all being home, even if it involves needles.

It's definitely Fall here, the leaves are falling from the trees and it gets dark earlier. And yes, you remember right?, the blankets have emerged. They are just as amazing as I remember. Well, I have to either play with my little green mouse or take a nap on the blue chair.

More soon,

under pressure

2009-09-18T17:07:00.010-04:00

okay, all you people begging for a blog entry... here you go. this one goes out to isaac in particular. i know you are allergic to me but i still think that we can be bffs. i know it.

so things are good. summer was exciting, many members of mookie's and kansas' families came to visit. they are cool. i especially enjoy when kansas' sister comes because she sleeps in my room. okay, it's supposedly called the 'living room' but let's face it, it's mine. i don't mind sharing it with her, she reminds me of kansas because they have the same hair color. and she also uses a high-pitched voice when she gets excited.

but let me tell you that september has been a bit rough. mookie is gone a bit more and it took me a few days to get used to it. the only good thing about it is extra love and attention when he gets home. i eagerly await his return:

and also, kansas has been around a little more, which is good. she is funny, or she thinks she's funny and i don't disagree with her. i can't because.... she has started to give me massages. now i think she always would have done it but i let her now. and i think i have this woman to thank, although she scares me... she scares me so much i have to hide under the coffee table. it's my fortress. it protects me, ya know. so watch this, if you dare...

again, i will try to blog more. a girl only has so many hours in the day and between green mouse, blue monkey, the velvet mouse twins, big monkey and my amazing new quilt (thank you grandma hewitt) i barely have time to poop. that's a lie, i always have time to poop, don't ya know it.

i'm off to stalk the neighbors who sit on their porch in lawn chairs. now they are funny.

hugs and kisses,
M

the kiwi

2009-07-19T20:58:00.003-04:00

i have an amazing new toy. well, i treat it like a toy but apparently it's a bed. it was sent from kansas for me, all special like. thanks donna!! i have only gotten in it a few times, it is summer after all.

my favorite part of it is that mookie and kansas get so excited when i go near it. they start smiling and cheering "get in your kiwi!!" and "the kiwi!!" and other random hoorays and yeahs.

now i am not sure exactly what a kiwi is but it must be something pretty special. it's like a freaking party over here. so here's a picture of my and my kiwi, from when it first came home. see how loved i am. aren't you jealous. seriously, come over and play with me and i'll let you sleep in my kiwi bed. that's how sweet i am.

i'm one!!!!!

2009-06-23T12:01:00.006-04:00

so, i know it's been forever. i figured that if i blogged on my birthday, all might be forgiven. so a year ago i was born on the streets in inwood and now i'm living in style. what more could a girl want?! the last six months have been action packed. trips to the vet (no babies for me) and visits from some of mookie and kansas' family. they are good people. i adore them. john and sally got me a present:

it sang me 'happy birthday' at midnight. okay, i know it was really kansas singing but the monkey was waving it's arms and dancing around so it was really a team effort. here's kansas giving me a snuggle:

i promise to be better about writing. i know i'm the coolest and you missed me terribly.

so if i was going to be making any wishes on birthday candles on any cake (hint, hint mookie!!) i would want the year ahead to bring me many new toys, people to hug and endless sunny days with chirping birds. i wish you all the same but substitute your favorite thing for the birds, unless you also love birds. thanks for being a part of my rather charmed life.

Murphy

happy new year boys and girls

2009-01-01T22:53:00.014-05:00

so it's 2009 now. i was a little scared since 2008 was all i've ever known but i think it's going to be okay.

i also had my first christmas. mookie and kansas went to, well, kansas for about a week and i stayed home. i'll admit it to you now, i didn't want them to go and i definitely made it hard for them to leave. i alternated between my 'sweet and snuggly' self and my 'absolute terror self' just to mess with them. but i really do understand. i don't think that i would like airline travel (i've heard the horror stories) and i know that staying in kansas' parent's house could quickly change from a 'play in the' to a 'poop in the' situation. i'm mercurial. i know. and you love it.

so, they left and i got to spend the week in the alternating company of tara and beth. not to be too disrespectful to the two i live with but i have to say that they are truly awesome and we had a blast. they brought me presents, let me snuggle and each stayed the night so it wasn't a true macaulay culkin situation. tara's husband pk (not his real name) came over once and we partied it up. so thanks you two for taking care of me and being so fierce. i owe you. or really, they owe you and i just want you to come over and play again. got it? don't forget about me.

kansas and mookie came back home on new years eve. i guess this night is really special but i don't get it. the delivery guy that brought dinner was really excited and even gave them a wrapped bottle of sake, which i tried to drink and/or knock over about a hundred times. we watched some idiots sing and do some stupid stuff (can anyone explain the thrill behind robbie knievel?) but we settled on new york 1 right before midnight. let me tell you, i was mesmerized. it was amazing. and i have pictures to prove it so don't you say that i didn't make it to midnight. i took my disco nap, i was ready for the long haul.

in closing, i hope the new year brings you every possible joy and blessing. you deserve it. now i have some shelves to climb. if you are keeping track, i am now able to hop onto the third bookshelf and use my paws on the fourth. sixth shelf here i come!! now please, distract kansas for me, i'm going in.

much love,

murphy

walking in my winter underwear

2008-12-15T20:38:00.005-05:00

it's been forever. i know. please forgive me and let's move on.

so, new things of note:

i can now climb one shelf higher on the bookshelf but then i'm trapped. they moved all the good stuff, the small stuff i can eat or break, to the higher shelves so i need to work on that.

i have figured out how to turn on kansas' printer. i love this machine. it takes in and spits out paper while making really loud and strange noises. i also love that this new skill makes either one of them come running when i do it. sometimes i do it just to get attention but don't tell them.

i am also now a huge fan of the bathtub. whenever, wet or dry, i don't care. right after mookie has taken a shower or anytime they do laundry and have to hang some shirts on the shower rod. i just get in and start knocking stuff over. especially that stupid little yellow rubber ducky. i hate its phony smile. it can't be happy all the time. it lives in the tub. come on. really. i'm onto you buddy.

enough of that. so here's a recent photo. i know what you really come here for so enjoy... and if anyone asks yes, i'm working on my christmas list. i'll get back to you. and more pictures soon too.

have some cocoa for me.

who else needs a nap

2008-10-27T22:08:00.004-04:00

it's been a crazy few days. we've been either busy or cranky here in my house. and often times, both. yes, kansas that would be you. when i'm not playing with my bird or climbing on a desk, i try to take it easy. it's a hard life. so many toys, so little time.

saturday

2008-10-19T20:21:00.013-04:00

yesterday there was a very rare chunk of time when kansas, mookie and i were all at home. it's been pretty busy for them so normally it's only two of us at a time. i was enjoying the patch of sun coming in the front window. it's becoming fall, so they say. i only know that this means a few less birds to watch and more blankets out around the house. i'm sad about the growing lack of birds but excited about the blankets. i have started sleeping in the big bed with them. it's so much better than under the futon or on the back of the big sofa. except sometimes kansas moves around so i have to learn to dodge her fish flops. i love her anyway.

monkey dog

2008-10-19T20:04:00.007-04:00

first things first. i have a new toy. i know, i'm spoiled. so what. this is from ijp. well, he gave it to kansas at work and she had it on her desk. she decided to bring it home for me. i love it. they call it a monkey dog because it has the face of a monkey and the body of a dog. it's a little messed up but it's smaller than i am so i am its ruler. i dig that.

i'm all grows up and all grows up and all grows up

2008-10-11T16:46:00.005-04:00

well, i'm bigger. 3 pounds and 13 ounces baby.

kansas took me to the vet again today. and yes, my butt did get up close and personal with the thermometer once more. not pleasant but at least i was ready for it. a different vet, a very nice man with white hair.

or i thought he was nice but then he hurt me. apparently the "shot" is for my own good but i don't buy it.

all the people in the office (doctors, nurses and other people with dogs and cats) thought i was the cutest. kansas packed my kitty and one of my chilly chews in my box so i was stylin'. OH!!! i almost forgot. i met my first dog today. she was really sweet and we touched noses through my carrying crate. but i still prefer to watch them through the window.

i'm home alone for most of the day today. let's see what trouble i can get in to now... i'll let you know....

the monkey hunter

2008-10-10T17:31:00.005-04:00

i'm completely obsessed with these beanie baby monkeys. i was hunting the three that live on top the this wicker dresser until mookie and kansas caught me in the act. they've been trying to take pictures of it but i am far too crafty for them. they moved my beloved monkeys to a high bookshelf for a bit but then (as i do) i wore them down and they finally gave me one of my own. apparently it's supervised play (whatever that means) but we get to rough house and then i carry my monkey around like my mother used to carry me. he often needs a bath as well. they really weren't taking very good care of him. good thing i'm here now. maybe i will grace them with some photos soon, i shouldn't deprive you of the experience.

other than that, i am also in love with my new blanket. kansas used to use it, sorry sister. it's mine now. and it's sooo comfortable. especially now that it's getting colder. come to think of it, i am overdue for a nap.

more soon.
xoxo,
murphy

An Update!!! okay here are some pictures of me and the monkeys):

(the first monkey)

(my monkey)

(my monkey and my blanket)

die vampire die... and not the [tos] kind

2008-09-30T18:47:00.011-04:00

okay, i have to start this off by saying that the last few days have been a little rough. i'm having some teething issues. i'm told it's completely ordinary and normal but it's not fun. i want to chew on everything. and i mean everything (see the following example... it's mookie's hand).

I also was biting ankles, door frames, pot holders, tubes of toothpaste, crocheted blankets, woven blinds, okay i could keep going but i'll spare you the massive list.

but a few days ago, the dynamic duo did diligent detective work (yeah, i love me some alliteration, deal with it). they found this toy called a chilly kitty chew. i swear, that's what it's called, i'm not making this up. i have to tell you, it's awesome. before the 'chew' i was stressed. i was freaking out:

after that i started acting all mopey and pensive:

but then the chew arrive. and guess what... wait for it... you can put it in the freezer so the outside gets cold and crunchy. it soothes my aching gums. i love it. here it is, and yes that is me napping with it.

it has made me so happy. bring my dinner to the futon please...

v v v videos, yeah i'm all kinds of cool

2008-09-24T19:32:00.007-04:00

so i got a visit from tk today. she has a video feature on her cell phone. so i did my thing.

yeah, i know. i'm awesome. so come on over with your video camera 'cause you tube needs me. okay, i have boxes to jump in and some stuff to chase. peace out.

a sister from another mother

2008-09-22T22:06:00.007-04:00

today is a sad one for kansas. her childhood cat, lubov, died today. it was a bit sudden but she passed away at home, peacefully and without pain. we never had the chance to meet but i'm told that we were very much alike. i don't mind living in her shadow. she was a feline rockstar. she has been buried on the hill behind kansas' parent's house, next to millie and tashi, her nearly lifelong canine companions.

i wish her endless patches of sunlight and a full dish of food.

not to be too dolly parton about it, but we will always love you.

1990-2008

trois mois

2008-09-19T15:22:00.005-04:00

monday was a big day. i turned three months old. i decided to celebrate by chewing on everything. especially kansas' computer power cord. now i owe her money for the new one she had to go buy at 9pm at night or i'll never hear the end of it. i'd better find a part time job. anybody have any leads?! let me know.

we got this picture sent to us from the really nice girl who raised me and my sisters for the first 8 weeks of our lives. she actually rescued us and took us in after we were born on the streets of inwood. so i am more street than any of you, don't forget. i came from the gutter, literally. i am told that i was not quite a week old here. mookie says i look like a hamster, which i am taking as a HUGE compliment. thanks mister. you look great too.

yeah, yeah, yeah

2008-09-14T21:39:00.008-04:00

so, i have been ready to blog all week but i need some help to post these things so i had to wait for the people that live in this house to get their act together. okay, one of them... and she knows who she is. she was WAY too busy this week and didn't have time for my dictation.

it was a busy week. i learned a few new tricks. i can climb onto the window ledges without help now. i really like watching people and cars and that strange truck that plays a really annoying song. i have also discovered the joy that is carrying one of mookie's socks around in my mouth. i guess dogs do that, but why do they get to have all the fun. i love it.

i have a few new toys as well. some are homemade, such as the box i mentioned last time. it is awesome. and some are from the store, or at least from outside the apartment. i have these two shiny, cellophane balls. one is red & silver and the other is blue & gold. they make quite a bit of noise. i promise some pictures soon. sometimes the air conditioner (the noisy box with cool air) will blow them across the living room floor.

well, we just tried to watch that new show 'fringe' but i'm not sure yet.

to tide you over, here are some pictures of me in action. I cannot be contained.

chillin'

2008-09-08T21:56:00.006-04:00

it has been said that i like to hang out on the top of things (the futon, the sofa, the window ledge) and next to things (people, my stuffed kitten friend, magazines, backpacks, whatever). i'm not so comfortable with napping on someone or even sleeping in the bed. i'm getting there. we'll see. so here's another photo shoot from the top of the sofa. it's a pretty great place to chill.

oh, and before you ask, here's my stuffed kitten friend:

Okay. There's this box in the kitchen I have to go sit in. Later...

they say it's your birthday

2008-09-07T11:57:00.009-04:00

so, we sang some song to mookie today. well, kansas sang and i tried to eat her hair. it's my new favorite thing. here's hoping that they will share some cake with me or something but so far they have been very stingy with their food. kansas had peanut butter on her waffles and, despite my best effort to leap on her plate, she ate it all without me. i think i need a new strategy. maybe i can distract them with a toy. they do it to me.

so, it's not hot enough to need that loud box with the cool air. kansas let me sit in the window this morning.

in honor of the birthday boy, here are some picture of me sleeping on him. and by sleeping, of course i mean being all wild and crazy.

okay, i have to go nap, then run around a bit and maybe watch some msnbc.

my first morning in the new pad

2008-09-05T21:05:00.012-04:00

so this apartment is so big that i hurt myself the first day i was here. i'm told that i was being too much of a daredevil and kansas carried me in the mean traveling box to someplace where they stuck a thermometer in my butt. it wasn't nice but at least it was quick. i got a shot in my shoulder to help me walk without limping. wow, i think i understand what barry bonds and roger clemens are so excited about. drugs are good. i was up and running, literally, a few hours later.

but before my trip to the vet (where kansas learned i was a girl, yeah two post-graduate degrees in the house and they couldn't tell) i was subjected to my first mini photo shoot.

You got big dreams, You want fame, Well fame costs...

2008-09-05T18:17:00.009-04:00

so, i was born somewhere called inwood about nine weeks ago. i don't know. it was a bit loud and there were many other cats roaming around. now i live in astoria. that's queens if you don't know nyc. it's pretty cool. i have a whole apartment to myself. and it's huge. well, i lied. it's not just me. i live with two people, a girl named kansas and a guy named mookie (ok, not their real names... they're all private about it). so i decided to start this blog because apparently, i am pretty freaking interesting. or so, i've been told.