Sorry, I've been distracted

I haven't published a new exercise yet because I have been so distraced by all the goings on here. It has been a little bit of an emotional time for me. My little baby boy, Napoleon has found his forever home and will be leaving. I am a little sad, but I am also confident that he will be going to a good home where he will be loved and cherished. I need to go spend some time with him. Perhaps tomorrow I will feel up to exercising again. I'll need to loose this extra weight I've put on! I eat when I'm nervous.
Take care everyone
Loves and purrs, Ginger Cat

Lotus Training exercise #3

WEll friends, and spycats, I'm here again. I probably kept some of you waiting since I talked about posting the next exercise and then never did and now it's been days, but here's the story...

My human found a sketch-scratch that I had made while designing the mission impawsible group logo. she stared at it a long time and she didn't look very happy. Even though I had scratched all over it to cover it up, I was afraid that maybe she could read the words "Spy cats". I thought she was on to me and I knew I couldn't put the other cats and the mission at risk, so I played innocent. I stayed away from the computer for a while until I was sure it was safe. Yesterday, I heard her say, "I think Ginger needs her claws trimmed again. I'm noticing she's scratching a lot." that's when it all became clear to me...I was scared for no reason. She wasn't on to me at all! Perhaps I shouldn't have used the sofa to do my sketch-scratching.

Now getting down to business...I will teach you some essential stretches:

Roll & Stretch: This is a great one to do around your humans because they will think you are just being lazy and will have no clue that you are actually working your abdominal and back muscles while increasing flexability. Start by lying on your side. Focus on the center of your body. Inhale smoothly and slowly stretch your whole body out from the center all the way out to your toes. Reach! Relax as you exhale. For a more advanced version, begin this exercise with the Flop Drop.

Ground Hog Stretch: this will tone your butt and back legs and is wonderful for balance. For this one begin in the normal sitting position. Take a deep, steady breath in and push off the ground with your front feet so that you are balanced on your back feet with your front paws relaxed and hanging down by your tummy. Lengthen your back and keep it straight. Hold for 1-2 seconds, then exhale while slowly lowering your front feet and settling once again into the sitting position. As you get more advanced, you can hold it for longer, just remember not to hold your breath in between if holding the stretch for more than 2 seconds!

Halloween Back-Arch: Every cat knows how to do this one, but did you know that it is great for working your abdominal muscles, stetching your back and tail? This can be disguised as stretching after a nap, or when scared by something real or imaginary. You choose your style. If you choose the scared version of this stretch, don't foget to make your hair stand up and hissing also makes it more believable.

Wooo, I'm tired now, lets all go eat some tasty treats and then take a nap! If you get these ones down well enough, I'll start teaching you some of the finer arts like Cat-Poo!

Happy pouncing, Lotus (AKA Ginger Cat)

Lotus training exercise lesson #2

Hello again Catsters, and welcome to the next installment of the Lotus training exercises. This next drill is very important and should be practiced regularly. This is one of my very favorite exercises! It looks simple, but that is part of the cover! The humans will never guess that you are a spy training for an undercover mission.

Even the most highly trained spycat will make a mistake, or get thrown off balance. When this happens a fall can occur. Falls can be very dangerous and although people say that cats always land on their feet, it’s not true. My little brother, Wolfy for example falls on his butt or back almost every time he jumps to try and get something. Even I occasionally fall and don’t land on my feet, but sometimes it’s safer NOT to land on your feet.

This exercise is called the Flop Drop. You don’t need anything to do it. Just take a nice deep breath in and then suddenly, and without any warning, flop onto the ground. Exhale as you fall. It is wise to let your whole body relax during the moment before it makes contact with the floor to avoid injury, but don’t let it stay that way. Remember to focus your inner energy so that you appear calm and still, but really are ready for action. You may want to practice this on a couch or bed until you get the hang of it.

This exercise is also a good evasive and an offensive maneuver. Try it for example just as someone makes a leap for your head, or just before a human takes a step, flop in front of them and see what happens. The possibilities are endless!

Have fun Flopping, Ginger Cat

Lotus training exercise lesson #1

I am starting a training program for my fellow spycats so that they can learn some defense skills to help them on their missions. Before we actually get into the specifics of the different types of self-defense, I want to go over a few exercises that will help strengthen and also teach valuable skills. The first one that you all might find useful is the peel-out run. For this exercise you will need a mat or throw rug of some sort. One that is situated in a high-traffic area works best. Sit on the mat, let your outer-body relax so that you look like the purrfect example of serenity. On the inside however, collect and focus all of your energy. This is a great practice in mind-body control. When you are ready, release part of that inner energy. Moving as quickly and as fluidly as possible, so as to make the least amount of noise, run in place for several strides. Then unleash the full amount of your energy and sprint to a nearby hiding place (under a couch is good). Sit and watch to see what happens. Try to do all of this without being observed. If you get really good you can do this while the humans are standing right on the mat. I love this exercise!

Practice this one for a while, then check back Sunday Morning for the next exercise lesson!

Happy pouncing, Lotus (AKA Ginger Cat)

Excitement: good and bad

Hi fellow catsters! I thought I'd write a few of the things I've been up to lately. I've had all kinds of excitement...

First the GOOD kind of excitement: I was invited to be in a special undercover assignment with my pal Emma. She is the cat incharge and all the special cats involved are highly skilled in different areas. I am the mistress of defense since I am so agile and active. I also have had good practice defending myself lately. This is a nice segway to my next topic which is actually kind of embarrassing considering my new title as mistress of defense...

The BAD kind of excitement: Wolfy has always loved to "play" with me. When he was little it was great, We had a great time! The only thing was that he didn't know when to stop. This wasn't a problem then because I could always just run and hide or jump up somewhere and taunt him from a high perch (He's never been a very good jumper). But he has gotten bigger and STRONGER especially this last month he has really grown! Now I can't get away and he still doesn't know when to stop! I think he's just playing, but he gets this really scary look in his eyes and it freaks me out and he also hurts me. It's pretty awful. Poor mom has tried everything to get him to behave. The wierd thing is really gentle with the kittens and actually has totally stopped biting mom which he used to do all the time. Last night mom and dad put him under house arrest. He can only be out with me and my babies while under supervision. At night or when no one is home he has to be in his own special room. He hurt my leg and now I am limping a little. Don't worry, nothing broken or bleeding, but I am a bit bruised.

Now don't let this last piece of information make anyone think that I am a wimp. I am a tough cat. I spent time out on the streets and I don't get pushed around easily. I am skilled in several different types of self-defense including Kitty Karate, Jeet Kat Do, Cat poo, and more. So never fear! Those who are counting on me to help save the world in my new undercover mission will not be disapointed! I am resting my leg and will soon be back in action. Besides, I can hop on three legs and still beat the whiskers off of an assailant if I need to!

Purrs and pounces (carefully), Ginger Cat

My Kittens are getting more independent

What a wonderful day it's been! Me and Mom have been hanging out and then my babies and Wolfy decided to play a crazy game of chase. I just climbed up here at the computer with mom to take a break from their game and to inform my friends that my kittens now have their own page. The time has come. Mom was taking so many pictures of them and filling my page with their pictures. Now I will have more room for pictures of me and they will have more room for pictures of their cuteness. Another good thing about this is that my humans are thinking of keeping Sakura, so the kitten page will then become hers at that time. I think it's great. Since they are getting so cute, Mom has lots of pictures saved up of them.

Well, the day will be more purrfect if I go take a nice nap in my favorite windowsill, so I better get going. I hope that all my friends are having purrfect days as well!

Purrs, Love, and happiness, Ginger Cat

AND THE WINNER IS...

Thank you everyone for the wonderful name suggestions for my kitten. It was so hard to choose one. The judges had a tough time because there were so many great names to choose from. After a long deliberation they finally agreed on one.

Congratulations to Renee Lilac ID: 347323 for her winning entry in the name my grey kitten contest! She will be receiving two rosettes one from me and one from Wolfgang.

Please go to page two of my Photo album to see my kittens and their names including the winning name.

Proud mommy purrs, Ginger Cat

What's in a name?

On Monday I sent a notice to some of the groups I'm in about a contest to name my little grey kitten. I thought I'd put the info in my diary too so some of the other cats out there can have a chance to enter. I'm getting lots of great names and I wish everyone the best of luck! Here's the info:

As some of you may know, I am now a mommy to three beautiful kittens.
My little grey tortoise shell girl needs a name. My humans keep calling her “Sumo” because she is the biggest of the bunch and very round and roly-poly. I detest this name for several reasons. It doesn’t sound like a proper name for a girl kitty and it may give her a complex. I need help finding the perfect name for her. My humans are fond of unusual, uncommon, or quirky names and can be quite picky, so I need suggestions.
Here’s what to do:
Send me your name ideas.
PLEASE LIMIT YOUR NAME IDEAS TO NO MORE THAN FIVE.
Next Monday (July 17th, 2006) I will announce the winner in a special diary entry on my page. The winner will receive two rosettes one from me and one from Wolfgang.

On your mark, get set, go….
Purrs, Ginger Cat

Vacation time!

My human family went on a vacation to something called a reunion. They were gone for a whole week, but they didn't want us to be alone, so our human uncle came to stay with us. He took good care of us. He cleaned the litterbox and played with us and fed and watered us. Everyone had a good time. Even Wolfy, although he threw a little fit and was terribly naughty!!!! Read about it in his diary entry...

My babies have grown so much! They are running all over the place now! I can't keep them in their little box anymore, but my humans brought a huge cardboard box that they converted into a playpen for the little ones.

Summer is a great time of year. Wolfy and I lounge about all afternoon. I'm sure glad that I have a little brother. Although wolfy gets annoying sometimes becuase he doesn't know when to stop playing with me, he is sure nice to have around.

Purrs to every cat, Ginger Cat

Computers, Kittens, and Company

I haven’t been able to post any more pictures or updates on the kittens for quite some time because of a computer problem! What a pain! So much has happened, I thought I better write another entry to tell about it all.

My babies are growing so fast! Their eyes are opened and they are starting to play with each other. They are developing personalities too. The black calico is quite and loves to snuggle up under my chin. The orange and white boy hates to be bathed, and screams and wiggles the whole time I try to lick him. The little grey one loves to eat and eat and eat! She cries when I leave the box and cries when I enter too! She is a roly poly little thing!

I have been showing off my babies to my extended human family. Uncles, Aunts, Grandma, Grandpa and lots of cousins came to visit last weekend and I loved showing them my kittens. Heads surrounded my box and they were all whispering compliments! Then this weekend my parents had a friend over for dinner and I got to show of my babies some more!

I am getting back in shape after my pregnancy. I can run and jump like before, but now the weather is turning warmer, so Wolfy and I play at might and in the morning hours. During the day, we nap off and on all stretched out on the floor. It feels so nice!

Lastly, I wanted to extend a warm THANK YOU to all my catster friends for the support and well-wishes I have received lately! What a wonderful group of cats!

Purrs and love, Ginger Cat