I really think there's something magical about creating things we can see and working with our hands. This human need has gotten lost in our "knowledge economy" and social media world. This is such a great reminder about the joy to be found in making! And your bf is a keeper!! ❤️❤️
He totally is! 🥰 And: preach. I spend so much time on screens…this project reminded me how many tangible skills I never learned before now, and it’s absolutely inspired me to keep it up. “The joy to be found in making,” indeed!
Maddie, your catio project is seriously impressive! I love how you jumped into something completely new and tackled it with such enthusiasm. It's a great reminder that we're capable of so much more than we think, and that with a little (or a lot!) of effort, we can achieve amazing things. Your backyard transformation is incredible, and I'm sure your feline friends are loving their new catio paradise!
Thank you SO much, Alexander! There was a lot of enthusiasm involved…and also sheer terror about all the unknown steps ahead 🤣 I never see my cats anymore, which is a sure sign that it’s a hit with them!
Bravo, Maddie!!! I'm so proud of you and your boyfriend for following through on this massive project. It looks amazing and I'm sure your cats are thriving! I can't wait to see it in person some day (manifesting this for us!). You highlighted so many important things, but I especially loved your line: "When they see you working, people will start offering to help." Something about that really warmed my heart. The kicker? They've got to SEE you!
Yes, come over anytime and I’ll give you the full tour 😂
“The kicker? They’ve got to SEE you!” is wildly accurate. And such a helpful reminder for those of us (🙋♀️) whose natural tendency is to play our efforts down, not show our work, et cetera…something I’ve learned I need to change!
Maddie! I can’t believe how big the kitties are! So floooofy! So beautiful! The catio looks incredible! They are truly living their best kitty lives. I had no idea building a catio was so extensive. It is so wildly rewarding and so utterly exhausting when you take on a home project. I am so proud and inspired and impressed!
Right now we are stripping and re-painting the iron gate covering our double door entry on the front porch as well as the iron railings and oh my holy wow baby JESUS. Why do the projects always take longer than you thought?! 😂😭😮💨
As long as it’s finished before the end of the month I’ll be happy.
“I had no idea building a catio was so extensive”—me neither, until I’d already committed! 🤣
I am beyond impressed that you’re making these updates to the gate/railings. It’s funny how easily these projects roll off the tongue, but then the *actual* process of completing them is wildly tedious and detail-oriented. I’ve never taken on a project like the one you two are doing, but I can very easily imagine each of those steps taking FOREVER, especially with the surface area/nooks and crannies involved… 🥴 I’m pulling for you! Refreshing the gates will make a huge visual impact, so at least the payoff will be amazing. 💕
Thank you!!! The nooks and crannies 😭🎯 I get hyper focused on them then Joe has to pull me away (I love tedious work like that but then I’ll be there foreverrrrrr)
I hope you’re having the time of your lives in Scotland! Thinking of you and sending my love 😍❤️🔥
It’s hard being such a detail-oriented person sometimes, but it really makes a difference…for us, taking the extra step of touching up the catio paint took things from good to fabulous. The same will be true of all your efforts!
And speaking from my three days of Scotland experience, you’re going to loooove it here. 😍
“I read a review that described this catio plan as “a nice weekend project.” (We finished it two months later.)… HA! I can so relate to allllll of this. My office (10x10) is STILL a work in progress! I also love the point about the $80. Couldn’t agree MORE. 🙌
Congratulations on finishing this project! I love your practical takeaways and reflections, especially this one: "A new challenge is the best “asking for help” practice there is."
I’m proud of my veggie garden that we built. Well, I project managed, husband built. Although I just realized I didn’t take any specific photos when it was in its full glory! Oops. 😬
I have never heard of a catio before. I had no idea they were even a thing. Yours looks amazing. Is this so they don’t roam? Although cats don’t usually go too far from home do they?
Kim, I am *still* thinking about that beautiful garden update you posted earlier this summer! There’s always next summer for a photo in full bloom 🤗
You’ve got it right—they typically don’t roam too far if left to their own devices, but it keeps them safe from cars/raccoons/eagles/coyotes, and it keeps neighborhood songbirds safe from *them*!
They're able to sneak outside—and get back inside—on their own through a flexible plastic "door" that sits in the window frame! At least in theory...they're still getting the hang of it. One of them is already a pro, and the other two still need a bit of coaxing/help 😂
Oh my... where have you been. How did you know I've been contemplating a catio out over a bay window with access from a kitchen window. I'm going to let this looney idea marinate while I finish clearing out the garage, but yeah, sounds like a wonderful idea.
Projects *I* built?
Well... there should be a special cat-e-gory for the Pandemic, but during the height of the shutdown I built around a two-story library/sunroom we built to get an interior staircase in a remodel. It started when I noticed our then year-old kittens climbing a library ladder. Adding rope to the ladder was just a matter of stability. (https://www.instagram.com/p/CelnCnhloBL/) Then they would climb the second floor window screens... okay, that wasn't safe, so I built what's now the skybridge (https://www.instagram.com/p/CfLWMg0Dk5J/) My desk is directly below where she makes the leap at first.
I really think there's something magical about creating things we can see and working with our hands. This human need has gotten lost in our "knowledge economy" and social media world. This is such a great reminder about the joy to be found in making! And your bf is a keeper!! ❤️❤️
He totally is! 🥰 And: preach. I spend so much time on screens…this project reminded me how many tangible skills I never learned before now, and it’s absolutely inspired me to keep it up. “The joy to be found in making,” indeed!
Look at that beautiful, happy kitty! 🙏
Kimberly, they are SO happy...and I'm so happy for them! 🥰
Maddie, your catio project is seriously impressive! I love how you jumped into something completely new and tackled it with such enthusiasm. It's a great reminder that we're capable of so much more than we think, and that with a little (or a lot!) of effort, we can achieve amazing things. Your backyard transformation is incredible, and I'm sure your feline friends are loving their new catio paradise!
Thank you SO much, Alexander! There was a lot of enthusiasm involved…and also sheer terror about all the unknown steps ahead 🤣 I never see my cats anymore, which is a sure sign that it’s a hit with them!
Congrats, Maddie! Well done, you! (And him, too.) xo
Thank you, Sandra! I’m so tired! 🤣
Bravo, Maddie!!! I'm so proud of you and your boyfriend for following through on this massive project. It looks amazing and I'm sure your cats are thriving! I can't wait to see it in person some day (manifesting this for us!). You highlighted so many important things, but I especially loved your line: "When they see you working, people will start offering to help." Something about that really warmed my heart. The kicker? They've got to SEE you!
Yes, come over anytime and I’ll give you the full tour 😂
“The kicker? They’ve got to SEE you!” is wildly accurate. And such a helpful reminder for those of us (🙋♀️) whose natural tendency is to play our efforts down, not show our work, et cetera…something I’ve learned I need to change!
Maddie! I can’t believe how big the kitties are! So floooofy! So beautiful! The catio looks incredible! They are truly living their best kitty lives. I had no idea building a catio was so extensive. It is so wildly rewarding and so utterly exhausting when you take on a home project. I am so proud and inspired and impressed!
Right now we are stripping and re-painting the iron gate covering our double door entry on the front porch as well as the iron railings and oh my holy wow baby JESUS. Why do the projects always take longer than you thought?! 😂😭😮💨
As long as it’s finished before the end of the month I’ll be happy.
“I had no idea building a catio was so extensive”—me neither, until I’d already committed! 🤣
I am beyond impressed that you’re making these updates to the gate/railings. It’s funny how easily these projects roll off the tongue, but then the *actual* process of completing them is wildly tedious and detail-oriented. I’ve never taken on a project like the one you two are doing, but I can very easily imagine each of those steps taking FOREVER, especially with the surface area/nooks and crannies involved… 🥴 I’m pulling for you! Refreshing the gates will make a huge visual impact, so at least the payoff will be amazing. 💕
Thank you!!! The nooks and crannies 😭🎯 I get hyper focused on them then Joe has to pull me away (I love tedious work like that but then I’ll be there foreverrrrrr)
I hope you’re having the time of your lives in Scotland! Thinking of you and sending my love 😍❤️🔥
It’s hard being such a detail-oriented person sometimes, but it really makes a difference…for us, taking the extra step of touching up the catio paint took things from good to fabulous. The same will be true of all your efforts!
And speaking from my three days of Scotland experience, you’re going to loooove it here. 😍
“I read a review that described this catio plan as “a nice weekend project.” (We finished it two months later.)… HA! I can so relate to allllll of this. My office (10x10) is STILL a work in progress! I also love the point about the $80. Couldn’t agree MORE. 🙌
WHEW. I bet you’ve learned allllll of this stuff firsthand over the course of your various renovation adventures! It’s trial by fire, isn’t it? 🥴
It’s definitely a process. But I’m super impressed by your structure. It looks so neat and tidy and professional! 😍
Thank you so much! I will pass along your compliments to the person who’s primarily responsible for it looking as good as it does 😂
Take the credit! He’ll never know!
😂
Congratulations on finishing this project! I love your practical takeaways and reflections, especially this one: "A new challenge is the best “asking for help” practice there is."
Wally with the "what took you so long?" look 😂
I was thinking of you as I wrote that one, my friend! Always here for your Wally photo updates 😂
I’m proud of my veggie garden that we built. Well, I project managed, husband built. Although I just realized I didn’t take any specific photos when it was in its full glory! Oops. 😬
I have never heard of a catio before. I had no idea they were even a thing. Yours looks amazing. Is this so they don’t roam? Although cats don’t usually go too far from home do they?
Kim, I am *still* thinking about that beautiful garden update you posted earlier this summer! There’s always next summer for a photo in full bloom 🤗
You’ve got it right—they typically don’t roam too far if left to their own devices, but it keeps them safe from cars/raccoons/eagles/coyotes, and it keeps neighborhood songbirds safe from *them*!
Is there room for me?!
YES. You’re invited!! It’s surprisingly fun to hang out in there, actually 😂
Major props! So they can get inside through your office window? Or if you put them through the door? So cool and love how your neighbors helped too
They're able to sneak outside—and get back inside—on their own through a flexible plastic "door" that sits in the window frame! At least in theory...they're still getting the hang of it. One of them is already a pro, and the other two still need a bit of coaxing/help 😂
That’s so cool Maddie
Thanks so much, my friend! 🤗
Oh my... where have you been. How did you know I've been contemplating a catio out over a bay window with access from a kitchen window. I'm going to let this looney idea marinate while I finish clearing out the garage, but yeah, sounds like a wonderful idea.
Projects *I* built?
Well... there should be a special cat-e-gory for the Pandemic, but during the height of the shutdown I built around a two-story library/sunroom we built to get an interior staircase in a remodel. It started when I noticed our then year-old kittens climbing a library ladder. Adding rope to the ladder was just a matter of stability. (https://www.instagram.com/p/CelnCnhloBL/) Then they would climb the second floor window screens... okay, that wasn't safe, so I built what's now the skybridge (https://www.instagram.com/p/CfLWMg0Dk5J/) My desk is directly below where she makes the leap at first.
🙄 It's a good time to be a cat. 🐾
Barbara! You are my inspiration!! But I can't show the ladder and skybridge to my own cats, because they'd be profoundly jealous.
If you built your window box catio, I absolutely *must* see the results. 🤩
Cat paradise!!
They're spoiled rotten!