A Wednesday Date

I had the rare pleasure of spending all of an evening with Thompson. We watched the movie Wall-E together, and then Thompson followed me upstairs for a grooming session. Things returned to normal however when Theo joined us and started a fight by sniffing Thompson's butt.

Project Complete

The remodeling of the basement is complete. Today the final piece (for now) arrived- an Amish built electric fireplace (don't ask). It's a stylish space heater that looks very nice. The boyz all checked it out- watching the fake fire with more interest than they've ever watched the TV. I don't think Theo quite knows what to make of it.

New

My dad brought me to Ikea to pick up my Christmas gift- a new TV stand. In preparation for this new piece of furniture I did some rearranging of several of my rooms.

The biggest change for the boyz is they now have access to all the rooms in the house. I've always kept my home office door closed because all the stuff I don't want broken or damaged is in that room. I'm putting some trust in the boyz allowing them access to that room.

Getting the TV stand put together was a chore- Theo supervised the whole activity. My remodeled lower level of the house is taking shape and hopefully I haven't traumatized the boyz too much with all the changes.

Just Trying

Theo and I were playing fetch when Diego-san sauntered in between us. Without missing a beat Theo dropped that ball at Diego's feet and looked at him to throw the ball. I thought it was very polite of Theo to try to involve Diego in our game.

Woof Woof

I often kid Theo that he must have some canine blood in him with his relentless energy and his mastery of the game fetch. Kidding aside I do also remind Diego-san before he starts feeling too smug with his pure felinity, he is the only one of the three boyz who will come to me when called. Often before I go down to the lower level of the house to watch a movie, I'll say, "Diego, let's go watch some TV" and he'll come prancing downstairs with me. I guess an afternoon of TV and snuggling is more important than a cat's pride.

Three Day Weekend

Yipee!

Egads

It was twenty two (22!) below zero when I drove to work yesterday. I betcha Thompson was glad he no longer is an outdoor kitty.

Bail Please

Diego-san is a cat that doesn't believe in a lot of rules. And I don't think I impose that many in the house. I don't allow the boyz behind the TV where all the electic wires are; I don't allow the boyz in the kitchen sink where all the dirty dishes are; there's no stealing the other boyz's meals. Other than that the only other rule (seldom enforced) is no waking me before the alarm clock goes off. Still with this limited set of rules I think Diego often feels like he's living in a metaphorical jail where his freedom has been restricted. In his heart, he's a feline anarchist.

Chores

I've mentioned the boyz's chores before: Theo is responsible for making sure all the towels in the house remain hung on the towel racks; Thompson is responsible for making sure all hairballs are hacked up somewhere other than the carpets and rugs; Diego-san is responsible for taking care of any insect that gets in the house. The boyz all share another chore that I haven't mentioned: they are all responsible for being irresistibly cute. All three are pretty darn good at that chore.

A Different Kind of Persuasian

When it comes to meal times Theo is very persistent in letting me know through a series of mews and dashes toward the kitchen that he is just dying of hunger. Likewise Diego-san is not shy when it comes to combing time with his roar, howl, and rolling around the floor.

Thompson is more subtle when it comes to asking/expecting something. He is much more patient then the other two boyz. All he really needs to do is look at me with his big sad eyes and I'll do just about anything. Sometimes he utters his firm meow but it never sounds like a beg- it's more like he knows that I know what he wants and he is confident we are on the same page.

Moody Monday

This is Diego-san's Monday morning look. I think we all know what it means.

Which Way is Up?

Theo and I were folding laundry upstairs when we heard Diego-san getting into some type of mischief downstairs. Every time Diego made a noise Theo would look... up. Sometimes I wonder about my little buddy.

My Favorite Poet

Brrrrrr

It's been a pretty brutal winter here in Minnesota. Between the abundance of snow and the extreme cold it's been one of those winters where I have to wonder why in the world I live here. The boyz don't seem to mind too much though. There's always somebody around to snuggle with.

The Soloist

I can honestly say that only one in our current household has sat on top of the refrigerator.

There's one in every crowd.

Best of 2008

The boyz and I finished tallying our score sheets and here are our favorites from last year:

Favorite Movie:: The Dark Knight- Everything that's been written about Heath Ledger's performance is true. What a sad sad loss.

Favorite TV Show:: 30 Rock-We were in love with Tina Fey before she was Sarah Palin.

Favorite CD: The Bridges Limits of the Sky- The sunniest music we heard in a year that needed sun.

Favorite Concert: Liz Phair at First Ave in Minneapolis- She performed her masterpiece CD, Exile in Guyville, song for song in one of those 'I never thought I'd be lucky enough to see this' moments.

Homecoming

I loved visiting Memphis and New Orleans but it wasn't hard coming home to three happy kitties. Going back to work after a week and a half off was a bit more difficult especially when I saw my overflowing in box.

Catching Up

While I was out carousing last week here is the report of the boyz activity from their sitter(s):

12/26: The boys were a little surprised to see me walk through the door instead of you. They were so hungry though that they didn't care too much. I don't think I've seen house cats eat quite so fast before! After they'd eaten Diego was the only one brave enough to actually hang out with me.

12/27: Today was much less stressful for the boys. No one greeted me at the door and it took till the third scoop of cat food was filled before Thompson arrived followed shortly by Theo. Diego was nowhere to be found until I went down to scoop the boxes. I heard a meow above me and there he was perched on top of the frame work! All three have been much more affectionate today.

12/28: Well Diego certainly knows how to get what he wants doesn't he? Thompson and I were doing a little bonding when Diego just marched right up, pushed Thompson aside, climbed up on to my shoulder and started rubbing my head. Not shy at all!

12/29: The boys were all over me today. Theo wouldn't even eat until I picked him up and gave him a thorough snuggling. They are obviously starting to miss you.

12/30: I gave the kitties all a good brushing today. You weren't kidding about Diego liking it. He went nutty! The other guys enjoyed it too but not like Diego did!

12/31: Everyone was surprised to see someone new walk in, though they warmed up to me right away. Diego was the most friendly and we spent time playing. Theo asked for some loving before leaving to eat. Thompson just kept his distance.

-Rick and Cherie

From Grinch to the Anti-Grinch

I realize it wasn't the nicest thing to leave the boyz alone for Christmas. I think I made up for it though by buying a new brush called the "furminator."

The instructions say to brush the cat or dog in a place that can be vacuumed. I can attest to the wisdom of those directions. I furminated Diego-san and ended up with a baseball sized clump of fur. There also was a pile of hair all over the carpet. Diego loves the furminator- every time I get close to where I keep it he comes over meowing. He purrs throughout the combing process. Thompson too seems to like the furmination process. Even Theo- who I can't keep still long enough to comb- sits pretty patiently when he is being furminated. I think the boyz like their Christmas gift...

Y'all Come Back Soon

Not that I can blame him exactly, but every time I left the house today, Thompson gave me a worried look as if I wouldn't be back for a long time...

Happy 2009

Got back last night just in time to count in the New Year with the boyz.

I took a trip on Amtrak with my friend M- to Memphis and New Orleans- two cities I had never been to before. I greatly enjoyed visiting both cities- the music history was right up my alley and the food was fantastic. I was especially impressed by New Orleans- a city I would consider moving to some day.

The boyz seemed happy to see me although Diego-san did his normal conflicted act between wanting to punish me for abandoning him and wanting me to lavish him with attention. I'll post some of their sitter's notes from last week over the next few days because I was amused by her observations (let's just say I think Diego dominated her visits...)

Goodbye 2008

This is our final posting of the year. I've abandoned the boyz as I'm on my way to Graceland.



Merry Christmas



Happy Hanukkah



and Happy New Year everybody.

Fetch Obsessed

Theo has become pretty demanding in his expectation that fetch is a 24 hour game. No matter where I hide the crinkly balls that we play fetch with, he seems to be able to find one and when he does he cries at the top of his lungs that it takes two to play fetch. I'm usually more than happy to accommodate him except for when it's past midnight and I'm already in bed.

Rearrange

You move a little used cat tree from one room to another and Diego-san immediately claims it as his own. Go figure.

Couch Hogs

Hey guys... I really wanted to sit on the couch.

Walloped

It's never good when the local weather forecast includes the word "wallop." We got five inches of snow. The wind chill is supposed to hit 30 below tonight. It's just not very pleasant outside.

Even Diego-san couldn't believe his eyes and what was falling from the sky this morning.

Secret's Out

The boyz got their first hint that I'm not going to be around for Christmas or New Years. I hired a professional petsitter to come over and feed them and keep them company while I'm gone. She came over tonight to meet them and get all the instructions on the routine. Theo was his usual friendly self, happy to meet a new friend. Thompson surprised me by eventually coming out and greeting the sitter.

I think Diego-san figured out what all this might mean and he went sulking off to the kitchen.

Stretch

Thompson knows that as you get older it's even more important than ever to do some proper stretching before engaging in such an important activity like taking a nap.

The Boyz Christmas Gift

Diego-san and Theo gave me an early Christmas gift: an evening of peaceful co-existence. I don't expect it to last forever but it was nice for one night...

F%$^&* Weather

Sunday afternoon it was rainy and around 37 degrees here. This morning when I left for work my car thermometer read 11 below zero. It started snowing in the afternoon so not only were the roads snowy, but there was a layer of ice as well. It took me two and a half hours to slip and slide home. It usually takes me about an hour. I was able to listen to Kanye West's new CD three times.

I was never as glad to come home to see Theo expectant face.

New Treat

For the last week or so, when my alarm clock goes off in the morning Thompson takes this as the signal for the morning routine to shortly begin (I'm not sure he quite understands the loveliness of the snooze button). He is such a polite and well mannered boy that unlike Theo and Diego-san, he knows I don't like to be woken up before the alarm clock goes off.

Once that alarm goes off however he knows that I'm awake. He'll hop up into bed with me and do his best to get a face rubbing from me. This usually means he'll either lick my hands or my face in encouragement. It's kind of painful for me when Thompson stands on my chest since most of his weight is pressing down on his one front paw but still it's a nice way to be woken up in the morning...

King of the Hill

Ain't nowhere in the house Diego-san can't get to. And he is very good at letting Thompson and Theo, who both lack his leaping ability, know that.

Pacifiers

There are days life seems to be careening out of control and then I come home and see the boyz all calm, and comfortable. The guys are so good at helping me keep things in perspective.

Theo's Motto

"If you can't join 'em, lick 'em."

Shocking

With the cold arctic air, things are pretty dry around the house and static electricity is becoming an issue. Every time one of the boyz jumps up on me they get a shock. I think Theo is starting to take the shocks personally as he looks at me with his big eyes and wonders why I would do such a thing.

The Look

This is Diego-san's 'oh really, you have to go to work and earn money to feed me while I do some serious relaxin?' look.

Wordy Wednesday

Thompson is my talker. He loves to let all of us know whatever is on his mind through a variety of grunts, mews, and an admirable arsenal of sounds. I love his voice and I love that he speaks his mind. And the other boyz are catching on as Diego-san more frequently lets out his roar and Theo is squeaking much more often.

A Little Schtick in Memory of Pixie

Theo: "Diego-san, do we not have any bananas?"

Diego-san: "Nope."

Theo: "I'm not sure I understand."

Diego-san: "I'm sure you don't. And why are you asking? You don't even like bananas."

Theo: "I'm just checking. And I'm still unclear on the status of our banana supply. So let me get this straight. Do we have or do we not have any bananas today?"

Diego-san: "YES. We have no bananas. We have no bananas today!"

Playtime

I think I made Theo happy by playing with him (fetch, chase, rub the belly) for quite a while this morning. He returned the favor by taking a nap with me in the afternoon.

Our Lil Groomer

Thompson wins the award for the best groomer in the house. He not only keeps himself immaculately clean, but he likes to clean the other boyz as well. And after he's done grooming himself, I often will stick my hand in front of his face and he'll lick that clean as well.

Sleepy Saturday

Theo is trying his best to learn all of Diego-san's tricks- even the best way to take naps on a Saturday morning.

A Request: Turn the Blippin Heat Up

I know it's cold in the house when all three boyz come to bed early to try and claim a warm spot to sleep for the night. If I don't get in bed before this happens I end up spending the night trying to sleep in a contorted position.

6 by 6

Kellie the Orange Cat tagged the boyz with a meme. Here are the rules:

"Go to your picture folder on your computer, or...wherever you store your pictures.Go to the sixth folder and then pick the sixth picture. Post it on your Bloggy and tell the story that goes with the picture..."

So, following the instructions here is the picture that I found:

This picture is actually pretty timely. It was taken last January after a snowfall and Thompson seems to be mesmerized by the bright white that appeared overnight. Since we received our first lasting snow over the weekend- I feel like Thompson looks in the picture full of amazement and wonder- wondering where the warm weather went and marveling at how fast life is flying by...

Thanks for tagging us Kellie. That was the most fun meme we've been tagged with. And any of you who haven't been tagged yet? Consider yourself tagged.

Appreciating Sweetness

At meal times, Theo gets so happy that he'll begin purring away and rubbing up against my legs. He likes to try to wander between my knees so he can rub up against all sides. He also likes to try to rub up against Thompson and Diego-san all the while purring away. Thompson and Diego-san aren't too fond of this particular Theo behavior and it's kind of funny to see Thompson hop up on his back legs and do everything he can so Theo doesn't actually touch him.

OJ

I walked into the kitchen the other day only to find Diego-san staring intently at the orange juice container. I asked him what he was up to. Then I noticed he was just doing as instructed. The carton said, "concentrate" and that was what Diego-san was doing.

Denial

It snowed enough last night that I had to shovel today. I was hoping it would melt throughout the day but by late afternoon I realized it wasn't going to happen. I'm not ready for winter.