Change Can Be Good, Too

It has been a long time since I've had a chance to write anything. First, Grandpa got sick and there was a variety of visitors in the apartment staying with us while they were down to visit with him. Then mom and Grandma got really sad and cried a lot and we haven't seen Grandpa anymore. That's really too bad because he gave good scritches when I'd come out and socialize. But I tried to comfort mom the best I could - mostly by just letting her hold me and love me. I'm a giver.

Then the boxes started showing up. Big boxes, little boxes, in-between boxes. And mom started packing stuff in the boxes and slowly the apartment got emptier and emptier. Although Sophie and I enjoyed playing in the boxes, we were sort of concerned that either A) we'd get put in a box and taken somewhere with all the rest of the stuff; or B) that we wouldn't get to go with the rest of the stuff. But finally, around November of last year, mom packed Sophie and me in our carriers and put us in the van with a bunch of other stuff and we went on a road trip.

Sophie doesn't get too bothered by roadtrips since she goes to the vet quite frequently, but me, I'm a healthy piece of manflesh, so I don't have to go all that often. So I'll admit it. I was a wee bit anxious. Mom says I wailed the entire 30 minute trip, but I don't think it was that bad. Although when we drove through the drive-thru to pick up dinner, I did try to make myself clear to the nice lady on the other side of the window, but I don't think she understood - she just gave mom her pizza and we drove off.

We ended up at Grandma's house. Sophie and I had been there to visit for Christmas for a couple of years, but neither experience made me very excited about this visit. Especially since there's already another cat here! Her name is Winifred and she's very noisy and she's a kitten so she isn't as mature as I am. The first couple of weeks, Sophie and I assumed that we were just visiting, but then mom's furniture and our kitty condo arrived and we figured we were here to stay.

I made friends with Winifred and she's ok. She likes to wrestle and play with me more than Sophie does, so that's good. And she likes to help me with bath time too.

Ah, Fall... FINALLY!

Ok, we've been cooped up in the air conditioning for months now. Mom tells us to appreciate it because it's been hot out and how some cats have to live outdoors and blah, blah, blah. Well, ok, I understand that, but when mom got home from work last night and opened the windows it was like we were free. Sophie and I ran from window to window, as mom walked around the house opening them, just soaking up the breeze as it ruffled our fur. Ok, my fur is short, Sophie's ruffles better, but I still felt G-R-R-EAT sitting in the window. Now, with the windows open, I can listen to the birds as well as watch them!
And this morning, there was a cool breeze coming in the window as we watched the sun rise and monitored those birds and bunnies. We were so engrossed in the window, we didn't even notice that mom was awake until she scritched us, causing us to jump. But that was ok, that just made me realize that there was another window across the room that I'd been neglecting!

Mom - World Traveler

Well, she's done it again. Mom has hit the road. We should have been suspicious when she got out the black bag. But Sophie had too much fun jumping in and hiding in it! And me... well, I think I was asleep. Anyway, she booted Soph out of the bag, filled it with socks and left!
My first thought was, good... now I can nap in peace.
But then it occurred to me, who's going to feed us? Now sometimes it's Aunt Jennifer, sometimes it's a short trip and we just wing it by ourselves.
This time, it seems that Grandpa is the designated feeder. Yup, he showed up, fed us and the fish, gave some scritches, took a nap (that's a man after my own heart!), and watched some tv. The first day, Friday, I was a little stand-off-ish. No need in getting too friendly if mom's coming back soon, you know. Sophie just flops down and lets anyone scritch her belly.
By Sunday, it's been 3 days, and I'm wondering where mom's gone and for how long. Grandpa came by and I decided to say hello. Again, Sophie flops and soaks up the scritches!
It's Tuesday, now, and mom's still not back. We may have to move in with Grandpa if she doesn't come back soon, so if he comes by today, I'll be a little nicer to him. Sigh...

The Other Kitten(s)

Ok, so last night, mom comes home with cat hair on her and smelling of another cat or maybe two. I discussed it with Sophie, and she doesn't think there's anything to worry about. Me, I'm concerned that she's found another handsome boy to take my place in her heart. So as soon as she got into bed with her book, I hopped up on her and curled up, purring in my most alluring way. She must still love me, because she put down her book and scritched me until it was time to turn the lights off and go to sleep. But I'm still going to keep an eye out for signs of a rival

**Mom's Note: The other cats in question are two tiny kittens (Fred and George) at Grandma's house. Gizmo doesn't have anything to fear but the vacuum cleaner. He's still my favorite boy!

CALF: Cats Against Loud Firecrackers

Ok, so who decided that it was okay to set off all of these LOUD firecrackers every night around this time of year. Especially last night. Even after mom came home from grandma's, I couldn't come out and cuddle with her because the neighbors kept shooting firecrackers!
The other night, we were all in bed, and mom was knitting and watching tv. I was asleep when some crazy person set off a firecracker outside our window! It scared me so bad, I jumped about a foot in the air, then leapt over mom and made a line for the fridge. Sophie slept thru the whole thing and according to her, it was mom's laughter shaking the bed that woke her up.
I'm being to think it's a conspiracy. Hmm...

Thank God it's Monday?

Ok, so I thought yesterday was going to be better because it would just be me, Mom and Sophie sitting on the couch reading the paper, watching TV and napping? Un huh. After Mom got home from church, the day started out good. She made lunch, did the dishes, and just when it looked like we were heading to the couch, more PEOPLE come over! Ok, it was Aunt Jennifer who is kinda cool. She gives good scritchin'. And Uncle Tim. Now, long time readers of my blog know that I get a wee bit scared, especially of men in the house, even grandpa. So I was torn. On one hand, here's Aunt Jennifer with scritches but on the other hand, there's a man in my house. So I went behind the fridge to think about it, and ended up taking a nap. When I woke up, mom was gone, and when she returned, she smelled like food... and by then our whole day of snuggling on the couch was gone! We hadn't even read the paper yet!
So today is Monday. I KNOW mom'll be home alone with us tonight, because on Monday nights we watch 24! So, I'll rest up good today while she's at work, and be ready for 24 (Jack Bauer would REALLY scare me if he were in my house) and me-and-mom time!

Thank God it's Sunday!

Whew! I had a rough day yesterday, so I sure am grateful it's Sunday. Mom, Sophie and I can just rest up for the new week. Here's what happened.
Saturday, mom woke up super early to go out. It was kinda chilly and, since mom doesn't have a fur coat like me and Soph, she went and opened the coat closet to get a jacket. Like always, I made a mad dash and ran into the closet. Mom should know by know that it is my responsibility to run into any closet the minute she opens the door. But it was early, so I guess she has an excuse.
Anyway, she shut the door while I was still in there. So, I curled up on a jacket that had fallen on the floor and took a nap. I was sure she'd find me soon. Turns out, when Mom got home and finally found me, I'd been stuck in there for EIGHT HOURS. Mom felt so bad. Sophie didn't bother to tell her where I was, she was enjoying being the center of attention I guess.
Anyway, I get out and start to feel safe again, when what do you know but strangers start coming over. First some woman came over and left mom a pizza... I like her. But just when I'm thinking I'm going to get some pizza, and some more people come over, sit down and starting eating MY pizza.
We all know that I'm not keen on strangers, so I went and hid in the bedroom. I did come out after a while to let everyone see me, but then I ran back to safety. When everybody left and it was just the three of us again, I discovered that all of the pizza was gone! What a horrible day. I know today'll be much better.

Happenings...

So I was right and I was wrong. Mom was going on a trip, but she wasn't taking us! Didn't quite seem fair. We need a vacation from our daily grind, too! And the way she talks about this 'beach'... sounds like it would have made a marvelous litter box!
But now she's back. I make sure to go to sleep right in her face at night. That way, if she decides to sneak off again, it'll wake me up.
One interesting thing, though... the other night, mom came home from the hospital, whatever that is. She was visiting someone... and then she started opening the mystery cabinet. Now, long time readers of my diary will recall that our living room has this big white cabinet in it and when it is opened, there's a bed in there. Now Soph and I think it should be open all the time because then there's more surfaces to bounce on and off of, but mom doesn't seem to agree.
There is one thing Soph and I have come to realize... when mom opens the mystery cabinet, generally someone comes over and sleeps on it that night. Sure enough, a new Aunt - Chris comes over. She seemed nice and she smells good, so I'm ok with her staying with us for a while... but I'm gonna keep my eyes on her.
Well, gotta go... it's time for a nap.
-Giz

Interesting things afoot...

So, last night, mom opens the big closet and takes out a big suitcase. She started piling all sorts of clothes in it. Sophie hopped in and made herself quite a nice nest to sleep in. We discussed it after mom went to bed, and we think we're going on a trip. Although suspiciously, she didn't dig out our carrier. Hmm... wonder what's up.

Night time fun/trouble

Sophie and I were having a great ol' time the other night. We were playing in Mom's bathroom. I jumped up on the sink trying to get something out of the window, when the curtains, rod and all, fell on the floor. It woke mom up (boy can she be grouchy in the middle of the night!) and we had to freeze so she couldn't hear what we were up to. Sophie, little wimp, jumped up on mom's bed and snuggled with her all innocent-like.