Guilty Pleasure

This weekend has been terribly fun. Sam and Mandy have been very playful, and we have enjoyed playing with them. Sam has been in the box playing with Elway. Mandy took pictures, as there were many requests to see them, however, when Sam saw the pictures he vetoed them, and said Mandy could take some more later today. Red Lightening Bug has been very active. I have enjoyed jumping and running after him. He is an allusive littler bugger, and neither Elway nor I have had any success in catching him, but I believe that is what makes it so fun.

This morning, Sam woke up early and dressed leaving Mandy in bed. He slipped out of the bedroom, and although Mandy said good-bye to him, she did not budge. I stayed with Mandy hoping to calm her when she woke up and Sam was gone. I knew she would be upset. However, the silly girl did not move. She slept the whole time he was gone. When he returned, he woke her up to breakfast in bed! Mandy said she was terribly spoiled, and they watched TV and ate breakfast in bed. It was not anything I cared to partake in, no eggs or bacon, so I stood guard at the door and Elway sat at their feet. When they finally got out of bed, they fed us breakfast.

I have a small confession to make. I love music--that is no surprise to anyway who knows me. I love beautiful music, like classical, opera, sacred, or Broadway music that tells a story. However, I have found something else I enjoy. It all started last Sunday when Sam and Mandy were watching the Sunday Morning News while they dressed for church. There was a story about a music group and I was thoroughly enjoying watching the story about this band called Journey. They have a fascinating story and I quickly fell in love with this band. However Mandy turned the TV off in the middle of the story. I yelled at her and she quickly took me into the other room, so I could finish watching the story about this music group. Then everyday this week, there has been an advertisement on the morning news that this group was going to perform on Friday. Mandy and Sam never watch the Friday performance on the news, but I begged Mandy all week long to let me watch this concert. So when Friday showed up, I came running into watch the news. As soon as the band was introduced I jumped down to the ground and started singing their most beloved song--“Don’t Stop Believing!” I sang loud enough that even Sam heard me in the other room. But I did not care. I sang loudly and unabashedly. When Journey finished their performance, Mandy called Mom with Cool Toys on the phone, and I sang for her too! Now, as I said before I do not normally indulge in such music, but this group just might be my guilty pleasure.

Well, it is well past time to start the day, and I need to encourage Sam and Mandy to get a move on it.
Peyton

Rain Rain Go Away

It has been raining for over 24 hours now. Granted, we need the rain, but I love sleeping in the sunshine and the rain is depressing. Yesterday Mandy sat around in the dark all day. She even cleaned house in the dark, but thankfully today she has turned on some lights. At least it looks like day time in the house, even if it is dark and stormy outside.

Yesterday to distract Peyton and me from the nasty rumblings and lightening outside Red Lightening Bug came out to play. We were able to play with him for a good portion of the afternoon, and it really did help to relieve some of the rainstorm blues. Not to mention it really helps to burn some calories!

Last night it was my turn to snuggle Mandy and Sam. Peyton says I don’t share the responsibility of snuggling, so after consistent nagging from my brother I climbed onto the bed and fulfilled my duty to snuggle Mandy. I snuggled into her knees and slept for a few hours. Mandy really did zonk out and slept soundly while I snuggled her. Maybe Peyton will get off my back for a few days now.

Oh, Mandy and Sam received a package this weekend! It came in a HUGE box! They took everything in the box upstairs and have been looking at goop samples again. I think they are going to be slopping that smelly stuff on the walls again. But anyway, Mandy left the box for me. It is so big I can sleep under the flap of the box and no one can see me! The box is so big that both Peyton and I fit in the box and still we have room to play! Last night Sam crawled in the box and played with me. What fun! He was sure funny looking as he tried to hide in the box. It wasn’t quite big enough, but we sure had fun playing with him.

Well, I think I will chase Peyton some. Maybe we can chase away the rainy day blues.
Elway

Broken People

I think it is possible that we may have broken Mandy yesterday. Our goal was to encourage her to stay home and sleep by snuggling her into submission. She desperately need to rest, and she did. All day! However, when Sam came home Mandy was out of it. Sam fixed dinner since Mandy was waiting for Sam in the big tub. I do not believe she knew it was so late in the day. So she cleaned up while Sam grilled the meat. It was the first signs of her being loopy all day. Then after dinner, Sam encouraged Mandy to go to bed. Those crazy people went to bed very early. I mean, so early Elway and I did not enjoy our evening play time. Well, Mandy fell asleep quickly and she was sound asleep. It was my night to snuggle her, and my job was easy. Even if she did wake up a few times, she quickly feel back asleep.

Sam, however, was a completely different story! He stayed awake forever! I was not sure he would ever fall asleep. He watched TV late into the night and then slept late this morning. Mandy woke up at their normal time ready to eat breakfast, which made me thankful. So, Sam dragged himself out of bed to eat with Mandy, but not long after breakfast, those two crazies went back to bed and slept some more! In fact, I think they might both still be asleep! They are going to sleep the entire day away! Our goal was to keep Mandy home, not turn her into a sleeping machine, and we certainly did not intend to draw Sam into the web of sleep. I am unsure if life will ever be the same. I have done everything possible to wake these two people, but they are like rocks—totally unresponsive. They must really need some sleep.
Peyton

Making Mandy Lazy

One of the best ways to ensure that Mandy doesn’t accomplish much in her day is to be affectionate kitties. Today, Mandy had big plans. While she was on the phone, I heard her tell Mom-With-Cool-Toys all the places she wanted to go today. So Peyton and I made a pack. We are being extremely loving and very snuggly. This ensures that Mandy stays on the couch and rests. She has not been sleeping well, and so Peyton and I have been drawing straws to see who has to snuggle her and try and get to fall back asleep in the middle of the night. Peyton “won” the first night and snuggled Mandy until she fell asleep. But last night I won. Unfortunately, Mandy was not only wide awake, but she was also chatty. She wondered the house for a while but eventually came back to bed. She didn’t keep Sam up long, but it took both Peyton and I snuggling her on the bed to force her to fall back asleep. And even at that, it took a while.

Snuggling Mandy is not as comfortable as it once was. Her tummy is getting larger, and not only that, it kicks us. So when we snuggle Mandy we are in for a beating. We have tried to convince the tummy we are friends, but I think the tummy thinks we are fiends. We blame the tummy for Mandy’s mid-night wakings and lack of sleep.

I am fairly confident that our affection has Mandy settled in for the afternoon. Her eyelids are getting droopy and she looks like she could use a nap. I bet she will be asleep soon.
Elway

Stressed-Out Morning

This morning, everything seemed fine. Mandy played on the computer, worked out, and then dressed for the day. I should have known she was up to something, but I was naively turning a blind eye to her suspicious behavior. It seemed like out of no-where she grabs me and closes me in the small room and comes back with the cat cage. I was shoved in the cage and taken to the car. The whole time Mandy is apologizing and telling me how much she loves me. Yeah right.

She puts me in the car and takes me for a ride. I screamed at her, and called her several names. But then the car turns in a different direction and I think I am safe since we are not going to the cat doctor; however, Mandy has a surprise for me. She takes me to a different cat doctor! Mandy said she was only doing this because she loves me, and wants to talk to a doctor about my attacks. I had another one this weekend, and Mandy was very worried!

When we arrive, Mandy carries me into this new building. It was so noisy outside! A guy was there, pushing around a grass eater, and there were dogs! When we get inside the building those big creatures were thumping their tails like maniacs! Perhaps they cannot control their tails the way I can. Sam came and joined us, and both Mandy and Sam petted me while we sat in the waiting room. It was rather relaxing to be loved by both my people!

After a while, we were called into see the cat doctor, and Mandy already knew her. She was friendly and she was gentle with me. The new cat doctor looked over all of my tests and said I was perfectly healthy! She told Mandy I was well taken care of, and obviously loved. She is smart lady!

I was very thankful to crawl back in my cat cage, and Sam carried me to the car. As soon as Mandy jumped in the car, she opened the cage and I crawled into the back seat. Once we arrived home, Mandy picked me up and carried me inside. She told me I was a brave and beautiful kitty and gave me several treats! Once she finished giving me treats, I starred hate holes at her, but eventually made up with her. I sat next to her this afternoon and hit her with my tail. Perhaps I could give those dogs a lesson on how to properly use a tail.

However, in order to make up for her indiscretion of taking me to the cat doctor, Mandy bought shrimp for our dinner tonight! It smelled delicious as she cooked it, and she let Elway and me have a few bites as she cut it up! It was scrumptious!
I cannot wait for dinner!
Peyton

Deserted, Replaced, Invasion

It’s been so long since I was able to update you on the goings on here at home. First of all, early Monday morning Sam and Mandy woke up and left us. We had been preparing for their departure for a long time, and both Peyton and I were relieved when they finally left.

Clara came to take care of us a few times, and then strangers came into our house! They came in the back door and moved in! Mandy told us they were coming, but honestly I was still surprised. Phil and Stephanie had a half-sized with them. Her name was Tessa. Although it took me a long while to warm up to them, I finally introduced myself. They were all very friendly. They gave me lots of treats and fed me and played with me. In someways it was likt having a replacement family! I loved it, even it Peyton never warmed up to them. They splashed around in the big tub like Mandy and Sam do, and I think they had fun. I always like to watch the half-sized humans splash around. They always look like they have the most fun. Maybe someday they will come back and visit me again. They were very friendly to play with us, and before they left Stephaine put all our toys up. We left them right where she put them so Mandy would have a clean house to come home too. When Phil, Stephanie and Tessa showed up, we had our toys spread all over the house! Mandy left most of our toys in the bedroom, but what fun is it to play in just one room, when we have free reign of the whole house?!

Mandy and Sam returned from their long vacation just as they promised. We greeted them immediately when they walked in the house. As soon as I heard Mandy I ran to greet her in the kitchen. She picked me up and snuggled me and I meowed to be put down. However, secretly I loved her exuberant hug and stuck close by the rest of the night.

While Mandy and Sam were gone, Peyton and I always try to find a little something we can do to irritate Mandy. This time, we opted to sleep on top of the noise maker. Both Mandy and Sam have tried to buff out our paw prints, but just to rub it in a little more, Peyton decided to sleep on top of the noise maker yesterday. Mandy was furious and told Peyton only bad cats sleep on the noise maker. We have not touched the noise maker again, but since it made her so upset, we will remember this trick the next time they go out of town.

I had fully intended to update you on all these happenings sooner, but Monday we had an invader and we had internet difficulties yesterday. I found the intruder first, but when Mandy came to see what I was playing with, the invader was hidden. I wondered if perhaps I had made up the scenario, and went about my business. However, a little while later, Peyton found the intruder and chased him around the entryway, in front of the front door and around into the dining room. Mandy thought it was a bug, and when she got close enough to kill it, found it was a lizard! And boy could that lizard move! He ran behind the china cabinet so fast, Mandy could hardly bend down to catch him. Peyton and I took turns guarding the cabinet to make sure the lizard didn’t escape. However, he did make a bee line for the couch and hid under there for a while. At one point the lizard escaped and hid under a box. What we didn’t realize was that if we jumped on the box we’d squish the lizard. Once he was dead, we hid in the bedroom until Mandy found the lizard. She wasn’t upset, because she knew we were only playing with the lizard. We really didn’t mean to kill it and that we felt very remorseful. He was great fun to chase, and I was sad to see him die. RIP lizard. However, the lizard was taken outside for burial. Hopefully the other lizards saw what happened to their friend and will keep it as a warning not to enter our domain. Even if he was fun to chase, that lizard was still an intruder. And it is my job to keep intruders out of my home!
Elway

One of Those Days

Today has been very busy. Mandy and Sam slept a little late to make it to church but managed to make it anyway. However Peyton jumped off the bed wrong and kind of hurt his paw. He cried and Mandy was very concerned about his health. Both Mandy and Sam doted on Peyton trying to make sure that he was ok. Eventually they tucked him in for a nap, and gave him an ice pack. He napped and now he is feeling much better. He has come out to play with Red Lightening Bug, and he ate all of his dinner. He’s jumped around with Red so I know he’s fine.

Mandy has put more boxes under the bed for me. I love having places to hide under the bed. Mandy also got the Chi Gong out and has put the head under the bed for me. I love to snuggle that thing.

Mandy and Sam have spent the afternoon doing small things around the house. This evening they went swimming and both Peyton and I enjoyed some time outside. It was hot, but Mandy and Sam seemed to stay cool in the big tub.

Peyton is ready to play with Red Lightening Bug again. I think I will see if I can join in on the fun.
Elway

Busy Times

Something is up. I don’t know exactly what is going on yet, but I am positive people are coming. Yesterday Mandy cleaned up stairs, and she let me help. I have only been allowed in the room once before when she was slopping goop on the walls, and have never been allowed in again. Yesterday was a special day. I wasn’t allowed in all of rooms, only one and only briefly, but it was fun.

Then Mandy cleaned really strange things. She sat on the floor and scooted around cleaning the baseboards. I sat with her, and talked to her while she worked. Then she went outside and played in the big tub. Both Peyton and I went outside with Mandy. We played in the sun, and allowed some birds to yell at us. We ignored them, and went about our business. It was beautiful outside.

This morning, Sam cleaned our littler box really well. Now our box is sparkling clean. Mandy worked a little outside and then Sam joined her. He pushed around the grass eating machine, while Mandy pulled stuff out of the ground. When they came back inside, they were hot. They drank several glasses of water and cooled off briefly. Then they opened the window and we played outside while they splashed around in the big tub. Mandy believes the neighbors have recently acquired an outdoor stereo system, and we listened to beautiful music and soaked up the sun. Today they were listening to patriotic music, and Peyton sang to one of the songs while he was outside.

Sam and Mandy have been feeding us a special treat every day. It is pumpkin. Mandy read that pumpkin is a great source of fiber for cats, and we are pleased she has offered us such a wonderful snack. Yum! Meow!

I am also pleased that Mandy is finished with her computer project. Sam brought the printer out for Mandy to use, and she printed off tons of paper. Then she disappeared and come back later with a book. She was pleased with the final product and now her project is complete.

Well, I’m off to take a nap. It’s been an active morning.
Elway