My humans seem to be kind of tired today. I guess it's my fault--I have to agree that four nighttime arias, each accompanied by a trip to their bedroom with a different catnip mousie, may have been a bit too much (my usual maximum is three). Oh, well, I know they appreciate the arts, so I don't think they mind the sacrifice. They can always nap with me in the nice sunny spot under the skylight--what beautiful weather we're having! I'm so glad winter is over.

Today was my Gotcha Day. I got a lot of presents from my furriends, and from my sweet boyfurriend Copy, who I love so much! Mom played "Happy Gotcha Day" for me on her violin--squeak, squeak! *lies on back and rolls happily from side to side* I got lots of extra attention from mom and dad here in my palace.

Dad says that tomorrow is his and mom's Gotcha Day--it's their 35th wedding anniversary! I'll have to give them a lot of extra attention too. Maybe tonight, for the usual nighttime concert I give them, I'll sing "Happy Gotcha Day" myself! *flips tail excitedly*

What a morning! There was a stranger in my palace, some kind of repairman, and mom kept talking to him. I, of course, ran upstairs and hid under the bed--I don't like repairmen working in my palace, or outside it either, if they're anywhere near the windows (I remember that annoying painter who came last year and actually CLIMBED UP ON A LADDER so he was right outside my favorite sunny window!).

After the repairman left I came out and gave mom's legs a thorough round of head butts and rubs. I wanted to make sure she remembered that she belongs to me, and has to pay attention to me instead of talking to strangers!

Meow! Meow! Mom, open the linen closet door. I want to jump up on the towels and see how they're doing. I'm sure they need a fresh sprinkling of cat hair.

Meow! Meow! Dad, don't you see I'm up on the arm of the loveseat? You know that means I want my neck scratched. What's taking you so long to get over here?

Meow! Meow! Mom, come over to my food dish right now and watch me eat. You know I don't feel comfortable dining unless there's an attendant on paw, in case I need anything.

Meow! Meow! Dad, open the basement door. I want to go down to my basement playroom again. Yes, I know I just came up five minutes ago. . . .

Training humans is hard work!

Coopurr and Smokey have tagged me to play this fun game!

1. do you have a valentine?... if so... who?

My darling boyfurriend Copy is the nicest guy on Catster! Unlike me, he comes from a big family, so he doesn't get to use the computer as much as I do. Still, we stay in touch as much as we can.

2. if not... do you wish you did? ... is there anyone particular?... or would you rather be single? ...why?

I'm so glad that Copy and I found each other!

3.What's your favorite love song?... who sings it?

I don't really have a favorite song. When it comes to music, I like my mom's squeaky violin playing best, because she means it just for me!

4.what would be a perfect valentines day for you?

The perfect valentine's day would be a whole day spent at home with Copy! We could sit in my basement playroom and talk together about our hopes and dreams, and curl up in front of the fireplace at my palace.

Now I will tag:

Gunnarr T
Laverne
Kally Kat
Athena (my namesake!)
Dusty the Puppycat

Meow, I have to say that life is treating me well! My humans have been home a lot. All I have to do is stand near the door to my basement playroom and meow loudly, and dad comes running from wherever he is in my palace to open the door for me! All I have to do is stand near the door to the pantry closet and meow, and mom comes running to open the door and get me a treat! When I jump up on the back of the loveseat, dad sits down promptly so I can sniff his hair, and then he gives my ears a good scratching. And then I can go sit close to mom on the wicker bench while she plays her violin. Squeak! Squeak! *lies on back and rolls happily from side to side*

What a nice day I had today! Mom was home all afternoon. She made a fire in the fireplace and the two of us sat in front of it for hours! She read a book and scratched my ears, and I kneaded my fleece blankie and snoozed. It was purrfect!

Meow, no! There's a flock of birds outside my window, right on my crabapple tree. I'd better watch them carefully to make sure they don't try to fly inside my palace! Nasty birds! That's my tree, not your tree. Move! *flips tail angrily* Eh-eh-eh-eh! Eh-eh-eh-eh! *chatters teeth* If you come any closer I'll give you a swipe.

The very last day of the year, and I had a big scare!

My dad was out shoveling snow on our driveway and his back was a little sore, so he decided to take a hot bath. Purrsonally, I think a nap in a sunpatch would have been better for him, but--okay, the sun didn't visit my palace today, so he couldn't take that option. So he decided to take a bath, and I sat on the floor a few feet away to keep an eye on him, because, frankly, the whole idea of being in water makes me very nervous. *flips tail anxiously*

Meow, well, everything seemed to be all right--nothing interesting was happening--so my attention was diverted to the window, where some birds were flying by. When I looked back at dad, he was gone! I couldn't see him anymore!

Where could he have gone? What could have happened? I let out a loud m-e-e-e-o-o-ow! Dad! Where are you? Where did you go? I couldn't imagine what had happened! *flips tail frantically*

I jumped up on a nearby sink so I could get a better look--and there he was, lying back in the water so I hadn't been able to see his head over the rim of the bathtub!

Imagine giving me a fright like that! I scolded him severely.

Meow, my birthday is coming up soon--December 15. Mom is thinking about making me a big party on Catster. But I don't know. . . . I love parties, but what if all my furriends are too busy to come? I'll have to think about this.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and it was the best day ever! There were loads of treats, and mom and dad were home the whole day and didn't have to work or anything, so they had lots of time to attend to me. I just love it when we're all home together having family time!