*@#% Cat

I didn't really talk about the Cat Drama while I was gone - but it was kind of funny - when not so aggravating! 

The Sunday I was leaving (last Sunday), I was bringing things from the car into the house (so that there would be enough room for everyone's luggage) and, as I was walking in the house, out went the Quincy cat.  He stood for a minute on the porch - looked at me with a definite gleam in his eye and darted down the stairs and into the bushes.  I had no choice but to leave for the conference and leave Don with the daunting task of getting him back into the house.  I honestly thought it would only be a few hours.  HA

Later that night, in the hotel (with the lousy wireless connection!) I found out that Quincy had met up with two neighborhood cats who run "wild' and the three of them were under the house (and could be heard in the area near the pantry).  Monday the story was the same - although that night, after getting home, Don left the front door open hoping Dumb Cat would come in.  And he did - to be met by the Queen:  Cleo who REALLY WANTS TO BE AN ONLY CAT.  She proceeded to charge him hissing and growling whereupon he turned and raced out of the house - AGAIN.  (But not before getting a mouthful of food!)  Don left the door open some more hoping (again) that he'd come back for more food. 

A while later, Don noticed that Cleo wasn't in the family room (where she stakes her claim on the sofa) and went looking for her.  She (who NEVER wants to go outside and become an outdoors cat again) was outside on the front porch staring at the vent opening where Quincy had gone under the house - I guess she was daring him to come back!  Guarding the front door against all enemies - Quincy included!

Finally on Tuesday evening Quincy got hungry enough to come in the house again and Don was able to get the door closed behind him.  I got a text message and a voice mail that the *@#% cat was back in the house and all was well . . . almost!

I got home Wednesday evening and took Thursday off so I was sleeping in!  I woke up and didn't put my glasses on on my way to the kitchen for a glass of water.  I saw some black blob on the railing on the porch (next to the flag) and wondered what it could possibly be.  Then - oh no he's out again but that can't be!  So I looked around (without glasses!).  No Quincy in the living room, kitchen or family room where Cleo looked pleased!  I tapped on the glass next to the door and the blob turned around to look and it was, indeed, Quincy.

Not knowing if he'd run again, I carefully opened the door (no movement); stepped out onto the porch (still no movement); walked over and picked him up.  With a little squeak I had him!  From the corner of my eye I saw the other black cat streak away from the corner of the house.  Once again the STUPID cat was inside!  SiGH.

During the whole under the house ordeal, Don had ventured out into the garage and found the door that we'd taken down between the family room and the main hall and he'd rehung it.  Now I have a way to get into and out of the house safely - as long as I make sure he's securely behind closed doors!!

Sunday trip to Arlington

What a day - the cat got loose again!! And I had to leave poor Don at home waiting for him to get back because I needed to go to a conference in Arlington!!

Don finally told me to leave (although it was a little early) because I had a bad case of the klutzy.  I got some lunch and wondered why my phone wasn't connecting - to anything- email, even the telephone!  Luckily it was early so I raced over to BJs where there is a Verizon Wireless - and said - FIX IT!!  Luckily the guy had the same phone and did what I thought needed to be done - but I couldn't get the battery cover off to take the battery out!

Luckily he could - phone ok - and off I went to Arlington.  Traffic wasn't bad - room nice - dinner expensive but delicious and back to the room where the internet connection keeps dropping - SIGH.  Have to type fast - but at least I did get the *urgent* message with attachment finally sent - - DOUBLE SIGH!!

Hope the cat comes home - hope Don doesn't stay up too late waiting for him - kind of glad I'm here.

Day 1 - Tear Out

I meant to post this earlier but we were moving the HUGE entertainment center out of the family room (or I was helping with part of it - Don did most of the work) when I went out the front door to check that there was room for Don to bring the main section to the garage.  I wasn't paying enough attention and Quincy darted out the door.  And off he went.

All day he'd been in the bedroom but the noise had him freaked because he barely let me pet him when I got home.  I should have paid more attention - but these things happen.  Anyway, two and 1/2 hours later I saw him next door (yes I was walking down the street in hopes of seeing him) and he was headed home but VERY leary of coming in the door.  Finally tuna did the trick and I was able to lure him into the house, get a grip on him and get the door closed.

So - that's why the video of the tear-out was actually done on the second day and not the first - because I was a nervous wreck.  (And if you think this was over-reacting you should have been around one time when I didn't know where my kids were - they'd gone out to the movies and were late getting back - TOTAL FREAK OUT that night!!)

Anyway - here's the video of what's left in the kitchen!!

Cat Baths

Last Sunday Cleo had a bath - a real one in the bathtub!  Being a long-haired cat who's a chubbette, she's not able to clean herself as well as we (or probably she) would like.  This has caused massive matting of hair around her nether regions!  Simply wiping wasn't enough so it was time for a SOAK in WATER!

She did very well - she didn't seem to mind standing in the partially filled tub although once I went in to help as she was clipped it was obvious she wasn't happy to see me!  I was interrupting the "Kitty-Daddy" time! I guess we'll have to do this more often - and maybe she won't have such "difficulty" with her grooming.

It went much better than I thought it would! 

The Kitties

A Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day and it started well at work. About 3, tho, my arm started throbbing. I hung in until almost five, (got in about 11) then came home to rest and get my arm in the air! Yesterday was my first full day at work - guess it can only handle one but not two days in a row!

When I got home I opened the back door and let the cats enjoy the many birds taking advantage of the puddle of water on the pool cover! They were mostly crows but a couple of robins dropped by too. Both Cleo and Quincy enjoyed the show - at different times of course!

After it cooled down and I closed the door, Cleo jumped up on the ottoman facing the fireplace. She sat there gazing first at the cold hearth then back at her "staff" willing someone (me) with a thumb to turn on the gas. Unlike last night, she was out of luck tonight. She'll have better luck this weekend - it's supposed to get cooler again.

Alone and tired

I'm exhausted and I haven't done anything! I had a great visit from a friend I haven't seen in quite a while! She was here a couple of hours and all we did was talk - me with my arm up! but her visit reinforced my decision not to attend All Staff Day tomorrow. Getting dressed and simply sitting up on the couch did me in!!

Well, it's also my first night since the "event" by myself. Just me and the cats. But not for long - companionship will return Thursday evening. I quickly got spoiled though!! It's really nice having another human in the house - the cats are good but don't talk much - well they do "talk" but not so I understand.

Still Playing with 2.0

I'm still having fun with the various image generators and thought this was particularly appropriate in light of Quincy's "Great Escape" on Monday! He looks like a hardened escape artist - when in fact he's a real softy - and loves sleeping under the down blanket!

What a Week . . .

I'm not sure what the reason but this week has been a long and difficult one - and not just because of meetings (although they contributed some). I'm betting on age myself! I've found I don't "bounce back" like I used to!

It's one of the very few weeks I worked all days and I discovered that I truly miss not having my mornings off - a slow start to the day is welcome twice a week and dearly missed when it doesn't happen!

The light at the end of the tunnel was today (Friday). It's my day off for working tomorrow and I got my "easy" morning today. I woke up just about on time, but was able to go back to bed and back to sleep (with a warm kitty next to me)! Now, watching a little TV and relaxing in front of the fire, I'm not really having to "think" much! Regeneration is taking place!

Next week is busy too, but that's ok. I have today!

Bad Kitty!

This morning we had horrible thunderstorms - and it was still sprinkling when I left for work just before 7. As I was leaving - Quincy - also known as Bad Kitty - ran out the front door into "the world"! And he was off - into the front yard - across the neighbor's driveway and snooping in their bushes. No amount of calling or rattling of dry food would entice him back home.

I had to go to work - and Don was left on Bad Kitty watch. He said he saw him several times - in the back yard and the front - but he wouldn't come in the house! Quincy went under the house (protected from the rain there) and wandered around most of the morning.

Finally, after 4 hours the silly thing was captured and back in the house. Such a Bad Kat!!

Don is owed a great deal for putting up with the cat (and me!) this morning!

Says it all . . . . .

These 50 hour weeks are REALLY hard on old people like me!!

Cats & the "Fire Box"

The cats are both fascinated with the fireplace - and love it when it's turned on (obviously it's a gas fireplace - done because it's so much easier than real wood!!). They'll vie for the ottoman in front it - or as we call it - the cat hair couch (because of all the cat hair that can be deposited in one week!!) - and spend hours gazing into the fire!

Of course, I like the fireplace too and love to sit with my feet up on the ottoman - BUT - that's definitely frowned upon by the furry bundles who've claimed it for their (separate) own! It usually works out - I have one small corner of the ottoman - the cat currently claiming it has the rest!

I've thought of getting another ottoman or stool for the kitties - but I'm sure that they'd ignore it and keep the one we already have! I'd be the one with the stool!! So I guess we'll have to continue sharing the one we have!

Cleo Update

After the vet's use of the "d" word - Cleo got busy and has stayed commited to losing weight! As of today she's lost 2 pounds (and for a cat that's a lot!). She's now a swelte 15 lbs 8 oz!

Obviously she's more active - evidenced by her chasing Quincy all over the house. While they can be in the same room and use the same litter box, there are some things they just can't manage - like sharing the sofa at the same time or going upstairs at the same time.

I suppose some things take longer than others - and it's only been about 3 months!

A Trip to the Vet

Today, Lady Cleo had to go to the vet for a regular checkup and a rabies shot.

She was extremely good - no hissing, spitting or growling! But the news wasn't all good! The madame weighed 17 lbs. 11 oz - up from 16 lbs at her last checkup a little over a year ago!

Soooo - the vet uttered those fateful words "she needs to be on a diet!!" She asked if we were "free feeding" her (answer: no) and if she had lots of treats (answer: no). So the next step was reducing the amount of canned food she gets from 1/2 of a small can twice a day to 1/4 of a small can twice a day - to be mixed with some drops to improve her coat! And her dry food will be measured (as it is now).

We're to weigh her every two weeks or so to see if we're on the right track - otherwise it may have to be prescription diet food instead of the Iams Weight Control!!

The good news is that she's been chasing Quincy around and, since they eat the same thing, Quincy's also going to be on a diet! (So he won't look like he swallowed a bowling ball!!) Hopefully the added exercise with help them both!!

Hmmmm ....

Someone - who shall remain nameless - thinks that my "little" Quincy is going to look like this before too long!

I THINK NOT!!

He has "filled out" some since coming inside from under the house - but he's not FAT!

Quincy

Quincy,
originally uploaded by VBDiane.

This is a terrible picture of the Q Man but it was one that was on the flash drive I had at work!! So - while I was creating a Flickr account, and uploading pictures (for some reason the work computer would let me upload photos fine but not a separate icon for my account). It forced me to upload the photo and then move over to the icon - not impossible but more work!

I like Flickr - I like all the photos but I'm not a good picture taker (and I certainly don't want MY picture up there more than absolutely necessary) so I'm not sure how much I'll use it. I do have some pictures on my MySpace page too - so many pages so little time for upkeep!!

Tagging is critical and I love the fact that I'm not constricted by pre-determined tagging. I add lots of words in hopes I will be able to find what I'm looking for again! SIGH!

Less than a week until Christmas!

What a great picture!

I found it at anvilcloud.blogspot.com!


The black kitty looks a lot like Quincy (except Quincy would NEVER let me put a hat or collar on him!!) The second cat on the left looks a lot like Cleo but, again, hats and collars would get me bloody!!

Christmas Trees and Quincy

It's been a very long time since a young cat was in the house - and I'd totally forgotten how inquisitive and funny they are!

My old tree was beyond help and went to the dump - so it was definitely necessary to get a new one. I set it up yesterday and immediately Quincy was part of the action! He was batting at the branches and hiding underneath the tree whenever he was out of the box! (Luckily he didn't try to actually climb the tree!)

Later, when I was putting on the ornaments (not a complete job because of so much "help") he was fascinated with the dangling things! And some made noise too - how fun is that!?? It fairly put him into a frenzy - racing around the downstairs in excitment! He wanted in the ornament box - not happening - and he wanted to see everything - and I mean everything!

This morning there was a round ornament on the floor - surprise!- and Quincy was on top of the chair acting innocent! I'll have to make sure all the ornaments near the bottom are unbreakable, but since he jumps so high that might not save anything!

Pets at Thanksgiving

I've been remiss - probably because of all the moving and stuff - but I wanted to let everyone know how the cats and dog got along on Thanksgiving.

It was actually quite funny. Quincy & Cleo were hanging out - Quincy on the ottoman in the family room, Cleo on the floor next to the sofa. The doorbell rang - Scott, Michelle and 7 arrived. 7 was somewhat of a surprise because I'd been told she was probably going to stay home! But she's a good girl and always welcome!

Quincy took one look and bolted for upstairs - hardly touching the stairs on the way up! Cleo, who met 7 last year, actually walked up to 7 and went nose to nose. She (Cleo) carefully raised one paw and barely reached out to 7 - they were bonding!

Cleo then turned her back on the dog and walked into the kitchen. 7 being the curious dog she is walked up behind Cleo to do the "doggy hello". Cleo looked like a ninja! All 20 pounds of her went straight up, did a 180 degree turn and slapped that dog right across the face with a hiss and a spit!

7 was, of course, startled and backed up (momentarily). Cleo bolted for upstairs (and her other enemy - Quincy). 7 started to follow but was called back!! She promptly forgot about cats and focused more on turkey, ham and other goodies!

I later went looking for the cats (since they hadn't been down for a long time) and found them both under the king-size bed - one under the upper right corner and one under the lower left corner! They were turned away from each other under the premise that if they couldn't see each other it was ok!

Once 7 (and Scott & Michelle) went home, both cats came downstairs and went immediately to their food bowls!

It was a very funny moment - and a bit of excitment in a relatively quiet day (if you don't count the football games which I don't!!).

PS - in case anyone's wondering - 7 is not named for the character on Star Trek - her name comes from the fact that she is pet number 7 for my son!

Animated Quincy

Ok - I had fun with the poll and I truly appreciate everyone who voted on whether Animated Quincy should stay or not! Of the people who voted - everyone thought he should stay (to one extent or the other!!) so he's here for a while longer!

The non-virtual Q has been a real pill today - he picked a fight with Cleo (she was sleeping on the bed - OH NO!) and he's been relentless in wanting to go outside!

(This picture was taken before he moved "inside" for life!! or until he escapes again!)