UPDATE: Reddit Secret Santa

UPDATE: Reddit Secret Santa

When I signed up to take part in Reddit’s world-record attempt for the largest Secret Santa I went in with the understanding that I possibly not receive a gift from the person I was matched with. First, let’s note that the person you are matched with is not (most likely) the person you will be sending a gift to. I was always prepared for the outcome that left me gift-less, which is what ended up happening.  

Click here for my initial post about Reddit’s Secret Santa.

Today I received a great mid-January surprise, a message from my new Secret Santa! I think this is the sweetest message I have gotten in a long time! It has definitely been worth the wait! I can’t wait to see what this lovely family has sent my way. I think this is much cooler than having BillGates as your Secret Santa (and that is pretty freaking cool)!

Here is the message from my new Secret Santas!

I will keep you posted and let you know what my Reddit Secret Santas have sent me when it arrives. Yay, two Christmases! 

Here are the final totals (thanks to Reddit Gifts) for the Reddit's 2013 Secret Santa Exchange!

Adorable New Born Puppy and Cheetah Cub Companions

 A story from the Dallas Zoo has gone viral this afternoon. The Zoo plans to raise two new-born cheetah cubs with a Labrador retriever puppy to try to hinder aggression and act as a calming influence on the cubs as they grow into adulthood.

The cheetah cubs and the black Labrador retriever puppy are eight-weeks-old, making this the most adorable story to hit the news in a long time. The Lab puppy is names Amani and the cheetah cubs are named Winspear and Kamau.

I think this will work, when I visited the San Diego Zoo in March I saw a really cool exhibit about animals living together that you would not think could be companions. Bakka, a South African male cheetah and Miley, a female husky mix are animal companions raised together in harmony. They were so cute together, lounging around their pen and talking walks through the park together. Even licking each other clean!

Some people are questioning these tactics for raising the cheetah cubs, but I think under the guidance of experienced Zoologists at the Dallas Zoo this may just end up being just as adorable as it sounds.

Animals that grow up together (with an animal of a different species) don’t seem to have the same aggression patterns. I have seen weird pairings of cats and dogs besties on my farm growing up. I can’t wait to see a video of Winspear and Kamau wrestling with Amani in a few weeks, they are pretty cute new-borns but I think will be adorable in a couple weeks!

I'll keep an eye on this story for you! 

Here is a video of these precious, endangered cheetah cubs:

Where Are They Now: Jonathan Lipnicki

So… today while researching my ‘All Request 90s Nooner’ radio show today I stumbled upon a photo of a young actor from the 90s I completely forgot about. I was reading “30 Ads You Haven’t Seen In Forever” on BuzzFeed.com and was blown away when I remembered young Jonathan Lipnicki pictured in his ‘Got Milk’ ad.

The name Jonathan Lipnicki may not be familiar, but I am sure you recognize that wide-eyed gent on the right who stole hearts in Jerry Maguire (1996). He was the adorable Ray Boyd, Renée Zellweger’s adorable little boy that Jerry (Tom Cruise) grew to love.

I would have been 7 years old when this movie came out and even as a kid I knew this kid was adorable. Which is weird, because I am only a year older than Lipnicki and I definitely felt MUCH older than his character, it is kind of weird.

Anyways, back to the point; as adult Lipnicki blew me away. When I googled his name to see what he is up to these days I was baffled by what was before my eyes…

Now that you’ve seen what flabbergasted me I am sure you understand my reaction. I was at a complete loss for words. Little Jonny Lipnicki is now one very shredded young man. In between reps Jonathon Lipnicki continues to act (and wrestle apparently).For more on Jonathan Lipnicki visit: http://www.jonathanlipnicki.com/

To check out “30 Ads You Haven’t Seen In Forever”on BuzzFeed.com click here: http://www.buzzfeed.com/leonoraepstein/ads-you-havent-seen-in-forever

The real question (maybe the only real question here) remains: Who thought it was a good idea to let seven year old Kate watch R-rated Jerry Maguire? I wasn’t even allowed to watch the Simpsons until sixth grade!

*Sorry boys, I could not find a contemporary photo of Jono with his shirt on... my bad? 

Remember That Time Jenny Went Away? Kate Does...

I absolutely love my job.

But, the last two days have been tough. Moving and filling in for the amazing Jenny Fines, Mountain FM’s drive host has been a deadly combination. But, it is over now (thank goodness). I liked doing Jenny’s show, but I LOVE my own show. All you listeners from 10am to 2pm I think of you like my children, I am so excited to be giving you my full attention again starting Tuesday. I think you can tell just how tired I am by the bags under my eyes in that photo.

One cool perk of taking over Jenny’s show while she was away was getting to do her ‘Paws and Claws’ segment with our local SPCA. Boy was it fun! Thank goodness I do not do it every week; I would have a house full of animals. Today’s feature was on Rocky a two year old cat who has suffered from head trauma; it was hard to see him leave after only knowing him for about half an hour. He is such a nice, unique cat; I hope he finds an amazing home. From the moment he was let out he was cuddling me, it was such an amazing feeling!

As much fun as it was, I am so happy to be back on the four hour show track starting tomorrow. I much prefer a sprint over a marathon! 

Kate's Guilty Pleasures: Ray Charles The Golden Retriever

Every time I log into my Facebook account I am overcome by cuteness. I ‘like’ Ray Charles the Golden Retriever, one of the cutest dogs I have ever seen. Ray (short for Raymond of course) is a blind Golden Retriever with over 86,000 likes on Facebook (at the time of this post).

As I mentioned in a previous post, I am blue and heart-sick that I don’t have a dog. I totally could, but I know it is not the right time in my life for a permanent pet and that it would be unfair to the dog. Ray is making it a little easier for me to cope without a dog with his multiple Facebook posts a day. I know this sounds SO silly, a Facebook dog does not even come close to the love and affection from a real pet; but it does help.

Everyday I bother everyone around me to come and look at Ray Charles’s latest post when it pops up in my feed. It makes me so happy to see has incredible, loving owners who love him even though he cannot see. And, nothing warms my heart more than seeing posts of Ray Charles cuddling up with his brothers Harley and Jack (he calls them his bruddas.. pause and awe with me).

Until I get to a point in my life where I can have a dog responsibly, Ray Charles you are the closest thing to a pet I will have… your masters are amazing for sharing you (and your furry family) with the world!

To like Ray Charles on Facebook click here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ray-Charles-The-Golden-Retriever/357618627685121?hc_location=stream