They're Home!

They are Home!

(and I had only hacked up one hairball on the bed)

Happy New Year's Eve to all my Friends and every

wish for a wonderful year in 2011.

Nip Memories

I complained about the single leaf of nip I got one time, when Mom was taking pictures, and I didn't show much interest then. Oh, what I wouldn't give for a fresh leaf of nip now! The nip plant is closed away in a room I cannot get into, what with my inability to open doors and all. I will have to be patient a little longer. It is SO hard! I hear they are coming home tomorrow.

Wordless Wednesday

Sleepy Boy

Not much to do around here but eat and sleep. We had a big snow yesterday, but it didn't make any difference to me because I didn't and couldn't go out in it. I am looking forward to my humans coming home. Things will definitely be more interesting around here when they get back. Word has it Tuesday afternoon is when I can expect them. Say some purrs for on-time flights and safe traveling.

Edited: bad news: their flight was canceled. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Guest Poster on Sunday

Hi. Kitties! Audrey here.

Since poor Simba is stuck at home, bored out of his mind, and mostly sleeping, I am getting to do a guest post today. My "grandbeans" are visiting and it has been so much more exciting a Christmas for me than usual! This is the first year ever that my Mom got a real, green tree in the house. With decorations! I have been good about them, and even though she took care to get non-breakable ornaments, I really have left the tree alone. I do play games with the tree skirt, though. It is so much fun to ruck it up and slide around on it.

Yesterday there were PRESENTS! Most of them were for the humans, but Simba did send me one, and honestly, the best game for me is playing with the ribbons, as you can see in this picture. That small package is my present from Simba, a rather cute nip-stuffed opossum.

And we have had lots of good foods, and I have even managed to score a few tidbits. I LOVE food more than any other kitty on earth, so I have to be a little careful how many treats I eat.

Unfortunately my Mom came down with a virus in the middle of last night that she caught from some sicky patient of hers, so she has been yacking a lot, and is worried about my grandbeans catching it before they have to leave to go back to Simba. Not that Simba would catch it but traveling while feeling yucky is no fun. So if you can put in some positive purrs for them, that would be good. Simba wants them home, he says.

Merry Christmas and Photo Hunt- Circle

Once again, wishing you all a

WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS!!!

Both these pictures come from my human brother's wedding last June: they were married outside and the buffet reception and dancing were in a tent.

Waiting for Christmas

On this Christmas Eve Day, I just want to share my family's feeling of anticipation, waiting for Christmas. Christmas is such a wonderful day for so many reasons: the most important is that it is Jesus' birthday. And what a wonderful reason to celebrate. Second, it is a time when many people are able to gather together with one or two or many family members or friends, and feel happy and peaceful, perhaps exchange presents, or do something kind for others.

For all those people and animals in the world who are suffering, or in ill-health, cold or hungry, or lonely this Christmas, we hope they can still feel some peace this day, and that the next year will bring better times to all. Our Christmas Wish is for Peace and Joy in all hearts, and Peace in all countries, throughout the world.

Happy Christmas!

Blogging Time

The folks have been spending an unusually large amount of time at the Apple Store recently. First of all, they needed some help recovering some of their files and settings off the older computer when the screen "died", which they did last Friday. Now I understand they were at an Apple Store yesterday with my sister, because of problems with HER computer. And apparently my dad was really eyeing the iPads while they were in the store, and he discovered a great speech recognition "app" to be able to write stuff on his iTouch by just talking into it. I heard a rumor that they may get the software package for doing that for the computer if he likes his trial run.

Seems to me an iPad would work well for me. It doesn't need thumbs, just stroking action on the screen, and it can be laid flat for that - all in all sounds like it was designed for cats!

One Word Wednesday

Betrayed!

Mancat on the Sofa

My folks have a pretty fancy living room and I normally don't go in there, but Christmas time is a bit different. When my brother was here, everyone sat in there one evening and I surprised them by jumping onto the sofa next to him. I am NOT allowed on the white sofa! But Mom let me stay while she took some pictures. I look a little guilty, don't I? Or maybe I am feeling stupid in my Christmas collar?

Photo Hunt - Male

Perfect Photo Hunt subject for this week. For I am a Male Cat. This picture is an old favorite of me, on the arm of my Male Dad's favorite chair.

Our family visitors have gone and it was a really nice visit. I warmed up to them, especially when I discovered how nicely they gave head skritches. The litter box situation was solved by putting my box inside a large cardboard box, and placing it in the hall outside my Mom and Dad's bedroom: then the visitors could have the guest bathroom to themselves without having to track through scattered litter when they went in there. So it worked well for all concerned.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

Snuggly Sunday

Oh, blankie, you are the BEST on a rainy, miserable day!

Photo Hunt - Funny

Thankful Thursday

Thanks Sammy and Andy's Mom for my Christmas banner! Mom could never do anything like that herself. She is Photoshop Challenged.

It is too cold to go outside, and there is nothing new to report regarding my indoor gardening (except that the Christmas Cactuses have passed their prime and are dropping dead blossoms all over). So I am going to focus on a couple of things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my blankets on the couch. Now that the weather is cold, I am spending a lot of time on them. They are both warm and comfy.

I am thankful my human brother and sister in law are going to visit us next week. I think. I don't actually like disruptions and house guests, but it is a good thing they are coming. For one thing, where is my litter box going to go? It is normally in the guest bathroom. Oh, dear.

I am thankful for all my blog friends and appreciate your comments even if I (translate MOM) don't get around to commenting on yours all the time. I do still try to read, and really enjoy all your posts.

Happy Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday

Thinking about it Tuesday

Should I nuzzle up to that nip leaf and rub my head on it or not? Does it have enough smell to bother with? After all, it is only a SINGLE leaf.

Maybe I will think about it a bit longer.

Mancat Monday

I am really posting this picture because we noticed it was a good whisker shot. And good whiskers are important for a Mancat. Do you see how the ones on my right side are more curvy up and the others are a bit more curvy down? I wonder why.

Sunday Sentinel

About a week ago, some people came to deliver and install a new dishwasher here. At first I was unperturbed but as they went in and out the front door over and over I went to my sentinel post on the landing to watch. Finally I beat a retreat up the stairs and watched from the safety of the steps near the top. Thank goodness they didn't stay forever!

Photo Hunt- Hard to Find

I should have checked the upcoming PHoto Hunt themes before posting that picture of my hard-to-see ears behind the leaf pile. The following photo was taken at the same time, but I am a bit easier to see in this one.

Later on that walk around the yard, I hunkered down between the edge of the driveway and one of the planter boxes, looking as if I thought it would be hard for Mom to see me and get me. Not so well-hidden here, am I?

Merry Christmas Cactuses!

Gardening takes place indoors here, now. Our Christmas Cactuses (Cacti?) reached the right combination of daylight hours and temperature that is magic for blooming and they were very pretty last weekend. The red ones came originally from a plant my Mom's Mom had 33 years ago. The pale pink one came from a plant my Mom and Dad got in honor of Mom's sister 7 years ago. One thing that is good about them is I never try to eat them, unlike the spider plants and assorted other houseplants they try to grow. So they can be in a room where I go without any problem. And another special reason to show these pictures is so Mom's other sister, Flossie's Mom, can see how pretty they look now.

Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

Fresh Catnip!

Mom and Dad had to make a decision about my catnip plant over the weekend: whether to just leave it outside to the elements for the winter, and hope it could sprout again next spring, or bring it into the house and nurture it. They decided on the latter, or at least to bring it in for a while: if it gets in the way, it may go back outside, mulched with some leaves to help it overwinter.

Dad gave me a single leaf to enjoy (kind of chintzy, wasn't he?). You can interpret the pictures the way you wish.

Easy Sunday

The weather has gotten quite cold here, so my harness pictures from the other day may be the last outside ones for a while.

I got my rabies shot yesterday afternoon- it was a bit traumatic but over quickly. Our town had a rabies clinic at the fire station, which is only a very short ride away, so I didn't have to endure a car ride to the Vet's. I was pretty frantic when Mom stuffed me into the carrier, though. But I DID get a written certificate! Mom can take it to the town offices in January when she has to get me a license. Do you think it will be a license to drive?

Back Scratch Saturday

The Photo Hunters theme for today is "Written". We are completely stumped by that one. I am a CAT. I don't write stuff. And we see the same theme is coming up again in December!

Mom and I were looking through my photo folder for something for my post and came across these pictures of me rolling in the dirt on the driveway earlier this summer. It was such fun getting my back scratched and getting some nice dirt in my fur. It is getting a bit cold now, for being out there and also, since Mom makes me wear my harness, I would not be rolling like that nowadays, because I do NOT feel relaxed!

I have to get my Rabies vaccination today. Luckily it is a clinic in our town, so I do not have to drive far in the car, or spend too long in my carrier. But I think I am going to be nervous anyway. I hope I will get a WRITTEN certificate for going.

Here I Am!

I didn't think I was so hard to see in the picture: sorry! My ears and top of my head are just sticking above the edge of the leaf pile. I was lying on the ground next to the pile and Mom went to the other side and took the picture. Mom used Picnik so as to put the label on the photo below, so now for some reason it won't biggify. So there's a cropped enlargement below it. Now I bet if you went back to yesterday's photo, you could see me!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Can you Find me?

Hint: I was on the other side of the leaf pile, not buried in it. Further hint: look near the center of the picture.

Bonus useless (or maybe useful?) fact for your amusement: deer don't eat catnip plants, even though they love impatiens.

Mancat Monday

It was a sad weekend with both Inigo and Miss Patches going to the Rainbow Bridge. I know how hard a thing it is for kitties' or doggies' parents to help them on their way, but also that it is the final act of kindness they can do for their beloved furchild. I do not like to think about my time, but I hope my parents will have the strength to help me if I need it. They had to do so for two of the Ones Who Came Before Me, Kimi and Smudge.

Here it was another big lot of leaf-clearing yesterday. Mom and Dad did a lot of errands on Saturday and went to "exercise" , then dad cleared leaves yesterday afternoon. This photo is from last weekend, but it looked the same this weekend! BIG piles. I had a little time out with my harness and leash. I still don't like them, but seem to be adjusting a bit.

Farewell Inigo

Dear sweet Inigo, we will remember you forever. Run free and be all healed, and one day I will meet you there.

Purrs for your Dad, Mum and brother Rumbles. Your Mummy wrote such a beautiful tribute for you here.

Photo Hunt- Juicy

Today's topic for the Photo Hunt is a tough one because the main JUICY thing for me is the gravy on my food, and I didn't think you wanted a picture of THAT! Though it could do double duty for another Thankful photo.

This picture is from about 6 months ago, and the fresh cat grass Dad grew for me was pretty yummy and juicy. I think I need to ask him to grow me some inside this winter.

Thankful for My Deck

This is the photo I am entering for the Thankful Photo Contest for Derry. The idea of the contest is to submit a photo of something you, as a furry, are thankful for. I do know for sure that my deck has to rank up there high among things I am thankful for, and certainly makes a better photograph than my fuds, blankies, and humans! I like the way this photo shows the smooth newly-stained surface, and the diagonal lines of the boards.

Do consider submitting a photo for the contest. It isn't really about the prize, but about all Derry's friends doing a little each to help him and his Mom out, and having fun at the same time. The rulez are at the link. But hurry, there isn't a lot of time, just till the 22nd.

Wordless Wednesday

Impatiens Recycling

I don't have a picture of the deer to show you, yet, because they come during the night or at dusk, or early morning. But here is the evidence that they have been around:

These are four of our five impatiens boxes. Not only did they nibble away the flowers, when they came back they snacked the plants just about down to the nubbins! We were really surprised. Mom and Dad had thought they would be able to have nice flowers along the driveway for a little, but they were wrong. This picture shows me for the short time I actually stood up and walked while I was out with my harness. It wasn't for long but Mom has hope. Those deer must have left some interesting smells on the boxes, because I was very interested in sniffing them.

Marvelous Memories Monday

Saturday was a big leaf clearing day for Dad, but it was a beautiful day for doing it. After he finished blowing the leaves into piles using a backpack blower, he raked them onto a burlap cloth and dragged them to a big leaf pile in our way back yard. At this stage, Mom brought me outside with my harness and a leash. It was wonderful being out there, although I still mostly laid around, because the darn harness still makes me lose my bones a lot. But occasionally I would forget and walk a little. The leash also gives me the heeby jeebies - Mom is thinking about buying a longer one, or one the extends and retracts.

Hope everycat had a great weekend!