I LOVE IT SO MUCH, what is it?

CONTEST UPDATE BELOW - 7/30/13

Is there anything better than unexpected packages waiting at your door?
The handwriting and postmark indicated the parcel came from fTM Frack so I immediately activated quarantine and explosive procedures.
Once the box was cleared to be opened I found a wee purple wrapped parcel (always a good sign) and a note: I saw this in Maine, thought of you for some reason. (which might be a good sign?)
Oh. My. Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Look at that little creature.
Look at it!
So adorable it pains my spleen.
I want to cuddle it to pieces, though being made of prickly wood kinda hinders that.

However, I am really unclear on what animal this fabulous ornament represents.

Look at the those felty feet, people.
Could they be cuter?
No, they couldn't.
Those toes obviously say some sort of climbing creature.
Basic morphology makes me think rodent or soricomorph (shrews and moles).
It was made in the Philippines so maybe it is an adorable island animal I've never heard of.

The face, oh the face...

And those eyes...

I am in love with those eyes.

For blops of paint I find them very expressive.
To me they say Hi there!
and Do you have any yummies?

and Did you hear that; was it a predator?
and I am clinging to this rope cause it is my lifeline
 and Are you sure it wasn't a predator; I am cute and crunchy
and Do you want to be friends?
and  Be sure to shoot my good side
and Is this going on your blog?
and Thanks for bringing me to work
and I like this flower arrangement, but I could hide better in a tree
 and I kinda like you; you're pretty.
I am reminded of Scrat from Ice Age who makes me laugh so hard that milk comes out of my nose.

So, my friends, I need your help.
What animal do YOU think it is?
Also I am stuck on a name because it feels like a boy, but the only name that seems right is distinctly female. So also leave name suggestions in the comments;  i'll even think of some prize if I adopt one of your suggestions.


UPDATE: if you name my lovey I will custom create a 4 pack of cards to your specifications or issue you a $15 NikCo Etsy credit, your choice. Suggest as many names as want.

Sharing a brain

I have very little claim to my own brain - i swear some of my friends live in it.
For years Rea and i have known that we share a brain and really only function at full capacity when we are together.
Melanie and I think so completely on the same wavelength that we aren't allowed to play Taboo or Guesstures together because we are unbeatable.
Need an example?
The year i first started my blog, Mel had it published for me for Christmas; super great present, right?
While i've been taking a hiatus from work I've been trying to catch up on some to-do lists at home (and resting, of course; i swear i'm resting) and i sent her an email inquiring about how she made that gift, what site she used, etc. Since i don't have 2008, 2009 or 2010 in print i figured i would work on it over the holidays.
Less than four hours later there was a box at my door.
It was from Melanie.  
What was inside? you ask.
The 2010 edition of the Nikiverse.
Really.
When i talked to her that night we both laughed and she said that after she read my earlier email she decided to just not answer it for a day or two to not give away that she had already ordered this years's for me.
Sometimes i wish that i had control of my whole brain, but mostly i really like sharing it with people i love.