The Mobile Home Surveyor Reports

Extra Hands

I'm sorry that I've not been very chatty. I've had other things on my paws to worry about.

Those babies sure are fast, and they think I am totally cool. When they come over, they look at me and go "meow". They are very funny looking cats!

Lucy even said my name this week! "Ivin!" she said. Her mommy, Secretary, and my mommy were so proud of her.

This weekend I got to go to my first "super bowl" party. I have no idea what a super bowl is, or what it looks like, but I was upset that I couldn't curl up inside it. Secretary and Julia brought food, and there was cooking and bags rustling in the kitchen and then everyone sat at the table.

I wanted to nap in my kick 'n play. Mommy keeps it on the table for me to sleep on. Maybe the super bowl was on the table, too? So I jumped up on the table, between Mommy and Julia.

Can you believe this? Not only did not I not find the super bowl, but my kick 'n play wasn't there, either. Instead I found nasty smelling, gooey stuff that the babies were covered and dripping in, and Mommy immediately pulled me down. "Ivan, we have company! Stay off the table!"

Aw, come on, Mommy; they're family! They won't mind!

The Lucy and Megan grandbabies don't stay where they are supposed to stay. I headed down the hall to get away from the noise and walked by the bathroom and the bathroom door was closed! What if I need the litter box? I sat by the door and cried.

Secretary heard me and took pity. "When you shut the door, Ivan can't use the bathroom!" I heard her yell down the hall.

"What makes you think Ivan needs the litter box? He hates shut doors!" I heard Mommy yell back. Excuse me - I'm right here! Don't talk about me like that. Enough of that, however. I marched in and walked around my litter box. Secretary was so proud that she knew what I wanted.

"I don't want Megan in the litter box!" Megan's mommy yells back. Come to think of it, I don't want Megan in my box, either. She might be small, but I don't think she'd fit. Besides, she'd probably kick more litter of the box than I do. I'd hate to have competition.

I went back to the living room. Megan saw me. "Meow!" she says and comes after me.

I don't feel like being chased. I turn around and head for Mommy's bedroom. Megan turns around and follows me. "Aaaaaa aaaa aaa aaa meow" she says. Secretary follows her down the hall and shows her how to be "gentle". I decide to cooperate and sit still while Megan gives me a pat on the head.

"Meow!" Megan says.

"Did you Ivan?" Secretary asked.

"Ssssssssss" say Megan. I think Megan has a slow leak!

Oooo - an energy burst! I race out of the room, down the hall, through the living room and skid across the kitchen floor, before I stop under Mommy's chair at the table. I hear the girls laughing and squealing and.. next thing you know, there is Lucy. She's standing and pointing at me and saying "Ivan" and "cat" and "meow". Everyone is so proud of her. I'm just glad that Lucy knows who I am!

Having the grandbabies over isn't a bad thing, really. They love to shake my feather boa and mouse on a stick around. Instant attention! They are so good at it, too, and I take advantage of them. They know I'll jump for the blue stick, so they fight over it. Then they chase me with it, so I chase them. They squeal. I get to play. It's a wonderful combination!

Invading Pursonal Space

Oh boy its been grand. Mommy and Secretary dragged a tree in the house last weekend and they put lights on it and glittery stuff and dangling things. They call it "Christmas Tree" and that I am not supposed to disturb the stuff that's on the tree.

It surly is fun to be under, though!

That's not my personal space. I mean, pursonal space.

Yesterday Mommy had the kids and grandbabies over for lunch. She also had other company come over that is afraid of cats, so I had to spend most of the time in Mommy's room with the door closed. Sooooooooo distressing!

Finally Mommy took pity on me and let me out, even with the cat-scared people there. I raced right to my water and food bowls, intent on enjoying lunch.

Just one problem: the babies saw me go by.

Next thing I know, Lucy is on one side of my bowl, and Megan is on the other side of my bowl, and they're both staring at me and pointing and talking and asking "what's that?", wondering what I was doing. Excuse me? It's my food and I'm not sharing it! Mommy was right behind them, explaining that I was hungry and not to touch me or bother me or move my food. The girls thought this was sooooooooooo special. I couldn't handle the intrusion! I never did get to finish my lunch yesterday.

Then today, Secretary comes over right after breakfast to do her laundry. She never comes that early; Mommy and I were still doing dishes and Mommy was still in her PJ's. Mommy knew she was coming though; Mommy said that this new snowstorm is really, really big and Secretary wanted to do her laundry before it snowed too much.

Mommy and I battle over the brush. She insists on brushing underneath my tail and I simply won't have it happen. So what did Mommy do? She tattled on me to Secretary! Said I had a big knot under my tail and it needed to come off.

Secretary came over like she was going to hug me and brush me, but instead she put her arm under my belly with my head next to her butt and then she pushed my tail back with my other hand and I could hear "snip snip snip" and I could feel it too! I was very unhappy! I can't believe Mommy let her do that to me! When she was done, Mommy was holding this big, huge chunk of Ivan furr; it filled Mommy's entire hand. Now I've got a bald spot back there and, quite frankly, it's drafty!

Mommy made up for it, though, because she gave me my Christmas present early. She got me a feather duster that she twirls in her hand and I can attack. Wowsers it is so much, super fun! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I am Thankful!

I'd be more Thankful, though, if Secretary would spare enough of her time to help me write in my diary! MOL

She did, however, take pictures of me helping her and Mommy put stuff on the windows so the wind wouldn't come inside. That was a couple weeks ago, and man, I was such a big help. I am certain they couldn't have done it without me!

So I am thankful for my mommy. I just love her to pieces; I'm so glad I found her! She loves me. She picks me up when she gets home and we close the curtains. She lets me play with food bags and chase the light that falls out of the fridge and lets me help her knit and cleans my litter box and feeds me - what more could a cat ask for?

I'm thankful that the babies are getting more gentle when they come over. Lucy and Megan just love to run over and touch me, and that used to be really scary! They don't pound on my head anymore; they are growing up so fast!

I'm thankful for Secretary; she loves me too. She lets me help her with the laundry; the empty laundry baskets are just too much to resist. She also spends time playing with me and brushing me and she doesn't think I'm trouble or a nuisance. She comes over special to see me. She also takes good care of my Catster page. I wasn't so keen about posing for a Christmas photo; after all, I didn't have to do that lat year. But Secretary says I was a good sport about it and I took the best picture of all the cats (so THERE!) and I can't wait to show it to you!

I'm also thankful for Meow Mix. Oh you've never tasted such fine stuff as moist, succulent Meow Mix. I don't get enough of it!

Happy Annifursary to Mommy & Me!

Wow - I can't believe it - its been an entire year since Mommy came to the ARL once again to find a cat to love. I'm so glad she came, because I found her, and she found me! She can't believe its been a year, either. So much has happened in a year!

Can you believe that, being a special day and all, she left me home alone? Instead of spending her day with me, she left to visit with the baby Lucy's family because it was Lucy's mommy's birthday a few days ago and they all went to the zoo today. How fair is that?

Mommy is displeased with my newest hiding place: the bottom drawer of the fridge. Secretary seemed to agree with her, but I don't understand. Sure, its cold in there, but have you seen what they put in that fridge? There's light and bags in there. You can plunge in the bags and roll in them and its nice and snug in there! Mommy now has to do a double check when she closes the door now because she's scared that I'll get in there and get stuck.

No worries, though. She took out the bag that I loved so much inside! She cooked the potatoes and threw out the bag - can you believe it? It's just devastating! I want a crinkly bag to lay inside!

So yesterday, when Secretary came over for lunch, she took one of the crinkly shopping bags, cut the handles, and left it on the floor for me. SCORE! I dragged that bag all over the kitchen. I laid on it; I jumped on it; I pushed it; I dragged it; I dunked it in my water bowl... and apparently that wasn't allowed, because Mommy took it away after that.

I finally got Secretary to put my new series of pictures on my page. She actually took them last Sunday but she's been so pokey that she didn't take them off her camera until today. I love posing for the camera!

My Tail of Devotion for Ivan (Moms Cat)

This is a special Tail of Devotion

See All Tails of Devotion

A Birthday?

Catster sends Secretary a note that says "happy birthday, Ivan!" But I don't remember when my birthday is!

Secretary whispers "I had to pick a date and since you've been with Mom almost a year, I chose this date. Just go along with it!"

Since I do remember having a birthday for Mommy, and for baby Emma, and they both got oodles of cool presents (for them, anyway) and FOOD, then I will be happy to have a birthday and see if I get special food and new toys. Stay tuned!

Here Comes Lucy!

Yesterday Mommy woke up and had "an agenda". She had lots of things she wanted to do, both inside and outside, and naturally, I was not allowed to join her outside. I'm not totally upset about that, because when she goes outside like that, I see her pushing this machine that makes a huge amount of noise and dust and it scares the grass so much that it never looks the same after the machine goes by.

Mommy came in for lunch and was busy preparing for Lucy to come over. Mommy was very excited about babysitting Lucy for daughter-in-law Julia, and she was busy vacuuming and sweeping and cleaning the floor to make sure it was "baby proof". Mom wasn't staying still in any one place, so I climbed to the top of the china cabinet and curled up next to the big plant that's up there.

Then the door opened and wowsers - it wasn't Julia, it was Secretary! Mommy was surprised to see her so soon with her laundry, but I wasn't going to complain. I jumped off the cabinet to the counter to the floor to run after Secretary to let her pick me up. Oh I love having her come over because she gives me attention! Secretary carried me to the living room and sat on the couch, putting me next to her. Oh, the love!

Then the door opened again and in came Julia and Lucy. Julia put Lucy on the floor and - whoa - she started moving! Lucy was on her hands and knees and boy can she move! She headed right for Secretary, who picked her up.

Lucy has been afraid of me before, but she didn't seem too worried about me yesterday. She reached her hand out to me and said the most silly things that I couldn't understand but Secretary and Mom seemed quite pleased with what Lucy was trying to say. She even leaned over to touch me. I wasn't too worried about that, but Lucy tried to pull on my tail! I got up and walked away.

Secretary put Lucy on the floor again and off she went towards the kitchen! Mommy called it "crawling" and says Lucy does it very well. I also got to see Lucy try to walk; she likes to hang onto someone's hands and off she goes! Silly baby; she think she can run. She falls down and everyone giggles and she laughs and claps and then gets back on her feet...or she pulls herself up and well, she seems harmless.... and I see the wisdom of making friends with little Lucy.

What could be so cool? Another body to lean against! I walked by her and rubbed on her legs, though hers are so small and short that I can touch her padded bottom with my tail. Secretary told her not to worry; Lucy was making different noises that sounded not-so-happy but as soon as I walked by, she went back to banging on the coffee table and flinging cheerios.

Then the evil noises began again! I can't stand the noise they called thunder. I hope this isn't going to happen for the rest of my life, but just about every afternoon it gets super dark around here and then light flashes and the horrible thunder noises come and usually I have to hide under Mom's bed and shake by myself. Yesterday, though, I wasn't about to leave my people, so I stayed very close to Secretary, who was sitting on the floor watching Lucy. I couldn't get close to Mommy because she was on her hands and knees, too, playing chase with Lucy, who was making loud, squally baby noises and seemed quite pleased with all of this racket.

Julia came back to get Lucy and she ate her supper with Mommy and Secretary. I couldn't find my kibble, but Secretary showed me where Mommy had hid my food so Lucy wouldn't dig in it and eat. Mommy put my food on the island in the kitchen - normally I'm not supposed to go up there! So I ate while Lucy spread more cheerios and gold fish on the floor and the adults thought it was so cute and messy and tried to teach Lucy to clean up after herself. They also left before Secretary did, who brushed me before she left.

Ah, life is grand when your people are around. I'm so happy to have so many of them to lavish attention on me! I just wish they'd stay longer and come more often.

Hurray Mommy's Home!

The past couple of weeks have been horrible. Mommy left me all by myself!

She called it "vacation" and she's taken those before, but this time she packed a ton of her stuff into bags, boxes, and coolers (which was way cool to assist her in doing) and then she put them all in the car. She told me she loved me but that she'd be gone a few days to go "camping" and that Becky would be over to check on me every other day and make sure I had food.

Then Mama was gone. She wasn't kidding. I didn't see my mommy again forever - even though Mommy swears it was only 9 days.

I wasn't entirely by myself. A couple of nights, Lisa and toddler Emma came over to sleep and do laundry. Oh how I wanted attention! I followed them everywhere they went. Emma chased me, but she's so rough when she touches me. Lisa's trying hard to teach her gentle but the kid is slow in figuring it out. Mommy says that's because Emma is only 15 months old and she doesn't live around cats enough. She's used to big dog Zeus and she doesn't need to be as gentle with him as she has to be with me. She about knocks me off my paws! Lisa was worried about one thing: it got super hot while Mommy was gone. Oh man, I could hardly move it was so miserable. Lisa opened the windows and turned on some fans to let some fresh air come inside the place. I was so grateful for that.

I just wanted to be close. I tried to sleep with Lisa, but she wasn't going to tolerate that, no way, no how. She shoved me off the bed with a nasty voice, saying "get your sticky fur away from me!" Well, I wouldn't have had fur to spare if she would have brushed me like Mommy does! I was so distressed. I was hoping Secretary would come over to do laundry because she always spends time with me, but she didn't come over, either!

Then came the night when the door opened and there was Mommy! Oh my catness - I was so happy to see her I could hardly wait for her to put the things down that she had in her arms and pick me up. She did that, right away, and she hugged me and loved me and I purred the very loudest I possibly could. I wouldn't let her out of my sight the rest of the night. It was hard enough to let her have enough time to go out to the car and bring in all those boxes, bags, and coolers!

Lisa and Emma were with her, too, so it got really busy and noisy, but I wasn't moving. Emma was just going to have to wait - this was my mommy and I was going to have her! When Mommy went to bed, I slept right next to her face. I tried to get closer, but I ended up waking her up whenever I tried to move my tail and butt closer. I woke up a couple times during the night just to make sure she was there. I put her face between my paws and I touched her nose. Sure enough, it was Mommy! Oh life was so wonderful again -

until morning came and Mommy and Lisa stocked up on some of those bags and coolers and left me again! They were gone all day.

This time, though, when they came home, it was only a day they were gone and no overnights. This time, they came home with Secretary! She was so happy to see me, too, and she picked me up and said how much she missed me and that I should be very happy because Mommy was going back to work in the morning and we'd be back to our regular schedule.

Ah; such good words to my lonely heart!

Secretary gave Emma a bath while Lisa and Mommy made supper. I couldn't decided which was more exciting! I quickly realized that being next to Secretary meant that Emma could see me and splash WATER at me - freak me out! - so I spent the time with Mommy and Lisa in the kitchen and chased the light hiding in the refrigerator box.

Now that Mommy's back to her regular schedule, I get a/c on during the day again, and Mommy sleeps in her own bed, and I get fed and brushed and petted at the regular times. Lisa and Emma have gone home, though, so its just Mommy and me again.

I love the sound of that!

Loud & Scary Outside!

Sister Lisa and a growing-up Emma are here for a couple weeks, so that means I'm not allowed in the guest room. Mommy has done her best to cover Emma's mattress so my fur doesn't get all over it, but Lisa is telling the story about Emma rubbing her face on the sheet and then licking her mommy's arm because she had "Ivan fuzz" on it.

Ooops; guity as charged!

Lisa and Derrick and Emma went to spend a couple days with Becky and baby Megan, so Mommy went over there to have lunch, leaving me alone for a while. I don't like being alone, but normally its OK - except for today. I hate the outside noises that come with flashing light. I don't know what it is, but it scares me! I don't know why someone just doesn't stop that noise!

Today it was really bad. It was so dark outside; the light was so bright; I could hear popping and horrible crackles and crashes outside the windows. The windows got all full of water and it sounded like someone was throwing rocks at the house! I was so scared.

Finally Mommy came home and picked me up. She was worried that I'd be so scared but she couldn't come home to be with me because it was too dangerous to be outside during the storm, she said. I was still too scared and not pleased that she wasn't there; I didn't purr for her like I usually do when she comes home.

Then Secretary came over with her laundry, and everything was right with the world. She waved my blue stick in the air and we got to play a long time while her clothes got clean. She said I looked very kitten-like when I play, and then she told Mommy about the very baby, orphaned kittens she got to hold at the animal shelter today. She said one of them had coloring kind of like me.

Secretary wore me out with all that playing. I had to take a nap in the pack 'n play on the kitchen table. At least by then it was quiet enough to sleep!

Just Hanging

Mommy has been busy cleaning the home and working outside. I don't like her being outside so long, but she's been busy painting the porches. she says something about being neat and tidy outside.

She also tells me that sister Lisa and baby Emma are coming home for a few weeks. She says to be prepared because Emma is now walking all over the place and she can now chase me around. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Thank goodness Secretary has returned from her trip to visit Lisa. When she came home, she picked up the guinea pigs and took them home. I loved watching them. They were so entertaining while they were doing whatever it is that guinea pigs do. Mommy cleaned them and took care of them and I did my best to assist in making sure they didn't run away.... and that they did. They kept getting out of their fencing that Mommy used to keep them in place on the floor. They move FAST!

Secretary is almost done her laundry; I can hear it ending in th other room. I must go and check on it for her!

Who & What are THEY?

Today is Mommy's Day. Secretary went to the store for me and got me a nice card to give to Mommy. That was so nice of her to do that for me, since I am rather stuck in the mobile home. Mommy was very happy.

The news of the day, however, comes from all the other stuff that Secretary brought with her. She carried in a bunch of stuff, and two of the move, and smell, and make noises! She put them right on the floor and Mommy helped her give them food and bedding and water!

Naturally I had to investigate. What are these creatures? Mommy says they are going to stay with us until Secretary returns from her trip. She's going to visit sister Lisa and the grandbaby Emma, Mommy says.

Secretary calls these things guinea pigs and one's name is Monet (he's white, tan, and black) and the other's name is Bijou (he's black and white). I managed to stick my entire paw and leg all the way in Monet's cage and I touched his back. I think it scared him because he dashed into his sleeping hut.

Bijou, though, was as interested in me as I was in him. He came up to the front of his cage and tried to climb it! He stuck his nose out to say hi to me! I tried to touch him, and he didn't seem to care that I was there. It was amazing!

I just don't know what to do about all of this. Mommy put them on either side of the living room, right at the end of the hallway. How am I going to get past them to use my litter box? I mean - this is just so much more interesting and right there - how could I possibly walk by them?

Anyway, Secretary came over and brother Tony did, too, and brought grandbaby Lucy, and she had a grand time. Yesterday they were here, too, and Lucy was rolling a ball back and forth. I couldn't catch the ball! That was so annoying. They were having so much fun and Secretary had the ball and asked Lucy "are you ready?" and Lucy said "yes, ready". Lucy is only 11 months old and hasn't said many words, so when Lucy said yes, ready, everyone stopped and looked at her and started laughing. No one could believe that baby Lucy had talked! They were all sure proud of her!

All this new stuff has made me weary. I shall have to climb into the Kick 'n Play and take a nap, again. We'll see if those guinea pigs will be here when I wake up!

I Found the Light!

I have been so busy. I recently made a discovery of tremendous proportions!

Did you know that when the fridge door opens the light inside tumbles out onto the floor but then races back into the fridge when the door gets closed?

OMC - I couldn't believe my good fiend. The first time I noticed it, I pounced on the light and chased it all the way to the fridge, and then BANG the door bit my tush and tail. Then it happened again! That's when I discovered that it's Mommy who moves the door and closes it again. She's hiding the light on me!

Now I can tell when she's making food. Whenever she does that, she has to open the fridge. I don't know why the light just doesn't stay out here with me, but it loves to play hide and seek. So I wait by the door for Mommy to open it, and BINGO I am right there to leap and pounce and attack the light as soon as it pops out.

Mommy finds this to be most entertaining. In fact, Secretary showed up tonight when Mommy came home from that work place she goes to. Secretary doesn't come over at night in the middle of the week - except for tonight. Mommy had to show Secretary the light that pops out of the fridge when the door moves. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzoom I was right there to pounce on the light. I got it good, too, but it's better than me. It always goes to hide back in the fridge. I don't understand why it won't stay and play with me.

Secretary took one look at me tonight and said "gracious, Ivan, you need a good brushing!" She says my coat looks all straggly from the dead fur. Excuse me? I can manage my coat just fine, thank you! I don't mind a good face brushing, though. I haven't seen Secretary for a couple weeks so it was good to have attention from her. She brushed my face... then she tried to brush my tail and pantalooms. Can't a man have his privacy???? Ugh I was not pleased at all and I tried to catch the brush, but Secretary moves faster than I do sometimes, and this was one of those times.

Mommy and Secretary were talking about where Mommy was going to put the "pigs" when Secretary brings them over. Mommy assured her that I'd make a great babysitter. What is a pig? Why are they coming here? Can I play with them? I didn't get my questions answered, but Secretary said something about "Sunday" and that's only a few days away!

Secretary also whispered to me that Sunday is a special day called "Mother's Day" when people get their moms special cards and gifts. She told me not to worry; she found a purfect card for me to stamp with my paw. She said she'd bring it over Sunday and let me sniff it out before Mommy gets it. Phew I'm glad she tells me about such things - otherwise, I'd look so ungrateful!

Tagged By Sab

He tagged me, so I should at least do the honors of responding!

4 jobs I've had:
#fitness trainer: I chase Mommy; she chases me
#housekeeper: I move things around all the time; my tail does a great job of wiping everything it touches out of its way
#meditation noise machine: I purr next to Mommy when she's sleeping and puraying and knitting and reading and working and.....
#official greeter: I've just gotta know who's coming through the door!


4 places I've lived:
#my birth place - somewhere far away
#my last family - somewhere I don't know
#the animal shelter
#with Mommy in the mobile home!


4 places I've been:
#the vet
#the shelter
#old family's house
#Mommy's car


4 places I'd rather be:
#in a window
#with Mommy
#playing with the grandbabies
#sitting in Secretary's lap

Celebrating Mommy's Birthday

Yesterday the kids and grandbabies came over to help Mommy celebrate her birthday. Oh gracious - it was soooooooo much fun!

The girls had gotten all 3 grandbabies together and had their picture taken together. Then they got a really big copy of the picture and put it in the frame for Mommy. They wrapped it up with pink and purple tissue and put it in a purple bag.

I was totally thrilled to see all that paper! Oh the noise it made! I pounced on it. I sat on it. I dove into it. I pushed it around the living room. I hid under it. Oh boy - it was the best gift they got Mommy!

Mommy was more impressed with the picture in the frame. She was so excited to have it. She got other baby pictures, too, and so she was delightfully pleased and happy. She was also very happy to have baby Megan and baby Lucy over for her birthday. They are too small to be eating cake yet, but that didn't stop them from joining everyone for lunch and eating at the table.

I do not like it when they eat at the table. When Mommy's home, she uses the table, but there's space for me to sit in my Kick 'n Play and be with her. Not so when the kids are over. Mommy takes the cover off the table (it's great fun to knead it) and takes my seat off the table and next thing you know, the table is full of people things and the kids don't want me near it.

After lunch, Mommy got a brilliant idea. She emptied out the tub of toys (Secretary took my picture in the same tub) and she put Lucy, then Megan, in the tub, and she pushed them around on the floor. Lucy thought it was super funny; Megan thought it was super scary. I thought it was terrific. I zoomed past them, making Lucy worry about me, and then I raced them back to the living room. Brother Tony gets upset with me when I move too fast because it spooks baby Lucy, but I don't want to hurt her or bother her. She just hangs around my mommy, and I want to be with Mommy, too!

After play time, the kids went home, and Secretary stayed to do her laundry and redecorate my Catster page. By then I was tired and Mommy had put my chair back on the table, so I rested. Secretary was sad about this, because I'm usually very helpful in doing laundry. I always race her down the hall and supervise while she puts clothes in and pulls clothes out and throws them in and hauls the out. She said her clothes just didn't get as clean as they should have been because I didn't supervise the first load.

Another thing Mommy did yesterday: she pulled the plastic off one of the living room windows and opened it! Whoa - it felt sooooooooooo good and it smelt so wonderful. The breeze played with my fur and I could hear the peeps out in the pond behind our mobile home. The kids that live next door were out in their yard playing ball and they waved to me.

It really was a purfect day. After Secretary left, Mommy did some more work on her church presentation she's making this weekend. I got to sit next to her and purr beside her. She pet me; I rubbed on her sore hand; it was a purfect day.

A Birthday Pawty!

Wow life sure has been busy the past couple of weeks. Sister Lisa came to visit with her baby Emma, and everyone carried on about Emma and her first birthday. Mommy fussed and worried and carried on so about what to get Emma, and what to serve when all the family came over for the pawty, and who was going to get a cake, and where was she going to put Ivan during all of this (excuse me???) and how much she was looking forward to having vacation time.

That's a word I understood: Mommy staying home with Ivan! How can things get any better than that? Well, they did.

See, baby Emma is Mommy's first grandbaby, so I guess her turning an entire year old is a big deal. Emma is now big enough to figure out she's got legs and how to use them like everyone else does, and she thinks that I'm really cool. Emma also really loves my blue tail on a stick. Wowsers - she sure knows how to fling that thing around! I simply can't keep up with her zinging and zanging that all over the living room! She totally wore me out.

Then there was the time she decided crawling was better than walking, and when she saw me walk through the living room and sit next to Mommy (she calls her Memere) she rushed right over and stuck her face in my fur. She tried to pick me up by my tail. I wasn't too sure about this, but Emma was gentle enough. Besides, if I had tried to slap Emma, I am most sure that sister Lisa would have had me banished to the far ends of the earth.

The day of the birthday pawty came and everyone was there! My secretary, brother Tony came with his wife and baby Lucy; sister Becky came with her husband and baby Megan; some lady called Auntie Terry came, too. Emma's daddy finally arrived and so there was cake and balloons and -

Balloons! I forgot to mention the balloons!

Did you know that balloons are the greatest things around? Well, it wasn't so much the balloon I fell in love with; it was the string that the balloon was attached too. Secretary bought it for Emma; it had a big "1" on it. Oh gracious that purple string is simply divine! Emma couldn't bring it home on the plane, so she's left it in the corner with her bucket of toys. I drag that balloon all over the place. The string is pawsome, and the balloon loves me, because it follows me around wherever I go.

Secretary & Lisa are convinced that Emma is allergic to me, though. Mommy is not happy about this. The girls say that Emma started rubbing her eyes and they got puffy and red after staying with us for a day or two, and her eyes cleared up and she left them alone whenever she was not at our mobile home. Mommy and I don't believe a word of it. How could anyone be allergic to me? Secretary says that Emma's daddy is allergic to cats, so its not too silly to think that she could be allergic to them, too.

With Mommy on vacation, she spent most of her time at home. Oh it was so wonderful to have Mommy to play with and pet me and brush me and love me whenever I wanted - and she sure kept me busy with all the cleaning she did. She even had baby Lucy for a little bit one day, and poor baby Lucy (another one of those grandbabies) is afraid of me! Can you believe it? Mommy says Lucy doesn't have kitties at her house so she's not entirely sure what to do with me, but she starts her scared cry when she sees me and well, Mommy makes me stay in the bedroom when she comes over. That makes me sad. I was so upset about it that, while Lisa was still here, I pulled the hallway carpet under the bedroom door. That made Lisa, Mommy, and Secretary laugh and take pity on me.

Other grandbaby, Megan, came over while Mommy was on vacation. Naturally, the babies come with their mommies, so it was a very busy week. Mommy was sooooooooooooo happy to have all the babies around!

I've got some serious thinking to do. Secretary promised she'd help me. See, our mommy's birthday is on Sunday. Whatever do I get a mommy for her birthday? More purrs? A special head butt? Secretary said something about a "card" and promised me she'd find one for me.

Wait a minute.... birthday.... means cake and ice cream and more people and balloons! I can't wait for Sunday!

Mommy Wears Me Out

I just love those few Sundays when Mommy stays home all day. She says this winter has been really hard and so she's had a few days she's had to stay home from work.

When Mommy's home, she's really busy. I have such a hard time keeping up with her! First she's at one end of the mobile home, doing things in her bedroom, then she goes all the way to the other end and does things in the kitchen, then she might take things from the kitchen and bring them to the laundry machines and BOY it's a tough job to keep up with her! I'm going here and there and practically catching my own tail as I race to keep up with her.

Sister secretary came again today, like she does almost every Sunday. Today she had a new toy with her: a camera. It looks like the same camera she's pointed at me before, but apparently its not because she and Mommy were talking about and checking it out. Sister brought it over special to take new pictures of me. She is quite positive that I've gotten even larger since last week.

I think she's seeing things. After all, I heard her say she's having a hard time getting used to her new glasses that she keeps on her nose. She said something about them being "strong". Mommy thinks that the colder it's gotten, the more fur I seem to have and it just sticks out.

I don't know what the fuss is about my fur. It's mine. I've never had any other type of fur, so what's the big deal? Just because I've got a bushy mane and fur between my toes and a tail that most cats would fight over.... I just happen to have a lot of fur. Doesn't every cat have this problem?

Sister got pictures of me sleeping in the babies' pick 'n play and just before she left, she found me on the fridge. She left some of the pictures she took with Mommy and they put them on my page. Mommy says I am a beautiful boy and I am her tiger lily. She says I'm so special.

Mommy and Sister were watching a movie and Sister's lap was just there. She didn't have anything in her lap, which seemed like quite a waste of prime real estate. I hurried over to the couch, pulled myself up, and plopped right next to her leg. I put one paw on her leg, stretched my tail out so far that I could touch Mommy, and I got comfortable. I purred and looked at Sister. I wish she'd come over more often. She makes such a fuss over me and gives me lots of attention.

However, this afternoon I really had to nap. Mommy wore me out. I couldn't stay awake any longer so I ended up missing most of Sister's visit. What a shame!

Staying Warm & Busy

I must scold my secretary for not helping me keep my diary up to date. However, everyone has been so busy lately that I've been feeling sort of left out of the loop. I'm so happy, though, that Mommy's home more often again and spending time with me!

We've gotten so much snow this winter its starting to cover the view from my windows! I've had to get very resourceful in chasing sunbeams and warmth these days. I first chose this huge pot with soil and a plant in it, but Mommy growled at me for laying on her plant so she shooed me away from that. I was not pleased because the plant is right next to the place where all the heat comes from the floor. The fur around my neck has really poofed out. Mommy calls me her "tiger lily", though I'm not sure exactly what that is.

I've also been spending time helping Mommy with the house keeping. I tried to be helpful one day last week by taking all the seat cushions off the chairs in the kitchen and dragging them down the hall to her room. It's right next to the laundry machine so I figured it was a good place to store them till Mommy got them washed.

Thank cat that Mommy’s job isn’t keeping her away as much. She’s had more time to spend with me. She’s been working with the yarn again to make something for brother Tony’s house. I really, really, really want to help her with that yarn, but she won’t let me. Something about ruining the yarn. Me? I would never do that! I just want to check it out before she gives it away!

Everyone was over for lunch last Saturday and the girls couldn't believe how much weight I've put on. Becky and Stephanie are positively sure that Mom's feeding me too much and I've "poofed out". I must admit that my fur is getting more difficult to manage. It's longer than my tongue and my neck, so even when I run out of space, I've still got fur left to groom.

After the family left last Saturday, the babies left their high chair behind and didn't put the tray on it. At least that's what I heard Mommy tell my secretary this morning. Without that tray, the high chair seat is a nice, tight place to curl up. I barely fit in it. For some reason, when I try to sprawl out, my paws, tail, and head get stuck between the bars. Very annoying indeed!

Today I leaped onto her guitar speakers to look out the window, only to find that she never put the blinds up. I tried to push my way through the blinds, but she found me and asked "why must you use THIS window? There are plenty other windows that are open and free!" But I want THIS window, Mommy!

This morning we had company. Mama was all ready to leave for her youth group meeting at church when brother Tony, the leader, called to say they couldn't get into the church because the snow hadn't been moved so could they have the meeting at our house?

I have never met these people before, especially the two young boys. I wasn't going to pay them any attention until the older boy pulled out the most amazing toy I've ever seen. It was a red dot! It zigged and zagged all over the living room and kitchen and I just couldn't catch up to it in time. The boys were having such fun watching me race around the place. That red dot is something special, I tell you. I'm gonna catch it one of these days!

When the secretary came over, I was sure to help her with her laundry, as always. I went beyond the call of duty this time, however, by laying in the clothes’ basket to keep it warm. She threw my favorite string toy in the basket, and I couldn’t resist diving after it and attacking it through the holes. We had such a fun time together!

Noisy Babies!

Mommy says that Christmas and all the holidays are all over. Wow, they sure are a busy time around here. The place was crawling with people - including babies!

Mommy's youngest kid, Lisa, spent two weeks here with her baby, Emma, who has learned how to use her legs to get her to where she wants to go. She didn't do that the last time they came to visit! They come and next thing I know, baby Emma's on the floor and she's moving towards me. I wasn't sure this was a good idea at all, but I wasn't about to leave the living room, since everyone else, including Mommy, was there.

My secretary, Stephanie, came over several times while they were here. She's cool; she even got me a really l-o-n-g cat tail on a stick for Christmas. I love it, but I can't drag it around like I can my cat and bell. Stephanie gave the stick to Emma, and she waved it all around like she was crazy. Oh my - I had so much fun, and Emma laughed and danced when I would chase the tail. That would make me more excited and fast to chase it, and we ended up making everyone laugh. It wasn't funny, however, when Emma was on the floor and got a bunch of my tail fur!

On Monday, Lisa was still home, and Mommy had the day off. They ended up babysitting baby Lucy and baby Megan. They called my secretary over to help, and boy, everyone is so glad they did! Lucy and Megan screamed and screamed and yelled and screamed some more, and Emma didn't feel good, so all she wanted was her mommy and when she didn't have her mommy, she would cry. I was quite distressed by all the noise. I had no place to hide! I went to Mommy's room, where my bed is, but Secretary had screaming Lucy in there, and it was horrible. So I went to the living room, but Mommy had screaming Megan in there, and I couldn't find a place to lay because everything was covered with Emma toys. I went to the kitchen and Lisa was rocking Emma. I decided to try the table, but my bed wasn't there!

Mommy noticed how distressed I looked, so she came over with the screaming Megan and put the "pick and play" on the table. Ah; finally a place for a cat to nap! I climbed right on the table and into the seat. I curled right up and, the good part about having a really fluffy tail is that is can cover your eyes and ears. That's how I ended up taking a long nap on Monday.

Eventually the babies stopped screaming and fell asleep. That's when the secretary came over and picked me up to give me attention. Yup, she sure is a swell purson. I really like her. She doesn't yell at me and call me back like the other do. For instance, on Monday I strolled into the spare room where Lisa's been sleeping and found that she left one of the dresser drawers open. It had everything except my name on it, so I hopped in and curled up. The secretary saw me while she was walking & take care of baby Lucy, and, knowing how much Lisa loathes me sprawling on the baby's clothes, asked Mommy to come get me. Mommy brought me back to the table and the baby seat.

Mommy's been busy working with yarn again. Great fun! She finally gave up and gave me my very own ball of yarn. Score! I also discovered the hanging stuff off that tree she put in the living room, and I tried pulling that off the tree. Mommy didn't like that idea, but upon closer inspection, I discovered how comfy it is under there.

Secretary gave me a picture of my Mommy and the babies from Christmas Day to put on my page so you can see my competition. They both tell me to "look out, they're getting BIG!"

Lisa and Emma had to get on their plane Tuesday, so when Mommy came home, it was just her and me again. Oh, I really love that. I purred for her.

Having So Much Fun

I am sorry I haven't reported lately. My secretary has been so busy doing whatever it is that she does when she isn't visiting Mommy and me.

However, I have been super busy too. I have been very unhappy. Mommy has been working lots of extra hours at her new job so I get very anxious to see her when she actually gets home. I wait right by the door for her to open it. As soon as I hear her put her key in the door, I start meowing, which is something I don't see the need to do very often.

Mommy put this fancy seat on the table she calls a "kick and play". She sits sister Becky's baby, Megan, in the seat when they come over. Megan hasn't figured this seat out, but I sure have. Mommy put this thing in the seat that helps keep Megan's head from moving all over the place. It is just the right size to cuddle me when I curl up inside it. When the secretary saw he inside it, she came over and turned it on. It started vibrating & singing! I wasn't quite sure what to do about this; my butt stung!

We just had a grand holiday. Mommy called it "Thanksgiving". She says that the best part of Thanksgiving is the turkey everyone eats. Well, everyone but her. Mommy is a veggie-tarian. So when she went to visit other family, she brought home a slice of turkey for me. Wow. I don't know that I've ever eaten anything so delicious!

And then.... the ultimate injustice happened. Sister Becky came over to drop things off for Thanksgiving, and she showed up with baby Megan and a dog! Mommy opened the door and in bounded this huge brown dog who behaved as if my space was her space. Mommy explained to me later that the d*g, Maggie, used to come over all the time and even had her own place with toys to play with when she'd come over. But then I came and then baby Megan came, so Maggie hasn't traveled much.

Maggie came flying into the trailer and sniffed right to my sleeping spot in the spare room sitting chair. She stuck her nose right in my face! I was quite infuriated by her gal, so I made sure that Maggie would understand where I stood on this issue. I arched my back, stood my hair on end, and I hissed and growled like no one's ever heard me before. Mommy & Becky were going "poor Maggie!" and laughing, but I wasn't!

Thankfully for me, Maggie isn't a dumb dog. She knew right away that I meant business. She backed right up, put her head down between her paws, and whined. She thumped her tail, trying to be friendly with me, but just in case she got any more strange ideas in her head, I reached over the edge of the chair and hissed a special hiss. Maggie dashed out of the room and I've not seen her since. Thank cat for that!

The secretary comes over every Sunday afternoon to wash her clothes. I love helping with laundry. We always race down the hall to the washer. I always beat her. Occasionally I don't race fast enough and she catches my bushy tail under her foot. Ouch! Last week she tried to race me back to the living room, but I didn't see her get a head start on me and she actually got there before me! I made sure to slap her leg as I raced past her.

She's also been working on a blanket for the grandbaby, Emma, that lives far away, for a long time. She puts it in her lap and, well, there's nothing better than an exposed lap! I love to climb into her lap around her hoop. She gets grumbly about that, because Emma's daddy is allergic to cats, so she tries to keep cat stuff away from the blanket, but what do I care. How can you be allergic to handsome me?

Mommy's also been working on yarn things. The secretary's project has been with thread. It's been sooooooooooooo much fun! I love to steal their scissors and hide them. Takes Mommy forever to discover my hiding places. So she thought she came up with a grand way to fool me: putting their items in a small box with a lid. She reminds the secretary all the time to "put your scissors and thread in the box!"

I took care of that problem. I hid the lid to the box when Mommy took it off to put her thread in the box. I was so pleased with my coup. Next thing I know... Mommy's got another box. This one, however, doesn't have a lid that comes off. I haven't figured out how to get this lid off. Just give me time.

Mommy's also been talking about another holiday she calls "Christmas" and she's getting so excited because sister Lisa and baby Emma are coming. She's also been talking a tree. The secretary agreed to help her put the tree up in the living room on Sunday. This sounds intriguing. I might have another report for you after that!

Enjoying the Family

I am sorry I have not spent much time dictating to my secretary. I've just been soooooooo busy keeping up with Mommy I've barely had time to nap!

First, Mommy went "on vacation" for a few days. I wasn't sure what that meant, other than Mommy didn't go away all day; this time she was home and busy doing things. How can a cat sleep when there is so much to inspect, investigate, and interrupt?

This weekend the Secretary came over, like she always does on the day they call Sunday. She comes to wash her clothes. I have discovered how exciting it is to help humans wash clothes. Mommy told the Scribe to be careful when she opened the dryer because I'm "too nosey for his own good".

Can you believe it? It was actually even worse than that. When the Secretary came into the house she put her basket of clothes on the floor. She patted me on the head and said "hello Ivan; how are you? You look like you've put on some weight!"

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah attention! Then she stopped! She just stood there, talking to Mommy! I have come to realize that we share the same mommy, but still, why can't the secretary talk and give me attention? I got her attention all right; I got on my back paws and I leaned right into her leg. She didn't appreciate that; she says I've got very sharp claws. No matter; I got what I wanted! She picked me up and rubbed my head and it was total heaven.

Sister Lisa also came over with her husband and the baby Emma. She is so funny! She looks at me and she laughs and kicks her legs and squeals. The Secretary had Emma in her lap and was showing her how to twirl my toy-on-a-stick and how to play with me.

I didn't really care abut such rapt attention. I made short work of that mouse on a stick. I managed to pull it right off the string! The secretary would put it back together for me. She'd start to throw it; I'd chase it; baby Emma would squeal and laugh in delight. Very entertaining indeed.

Then the Secretary put Emma on the floor and the adults watched Emma try her best to figure out how to touch me. They tell me that she hasn't figured out how to crawl yet, but its only a matter of time. Maybe by the next time they come and visit, Emma will be moving around on her own. Should I be worried?

I am also a very big fan of laps. Any lap will do, as long as its warm and comfy. Lisa is not pleased when I try to lay in her lap while she's feeding baby Emma. "NO Ivan! Bad cat!" she says. So I try to lay next to her lap, but its just not the same.

So Sunday I noticed that Mommy and the Secretary had taken out their crafts again and - viola - two laps materialized! I immediately dove for the Secretary's lap first. After all, Mommy's lap will be there after everyone leaves. The Secretary wasn't all that pleased to have me in her lap at that very moment; she didn't want to get cat fur all over the blanket that she's making for baby Emma. Before I could protest, she picked me up and put me in Mommy's lap.

That wasn't bad at all. Mommy was trying to knit again. Did you know that they use needles with YARN???? Mommy says "Ivan, I can't knit all the way across the room" and she has to chase me running off with the yarn several times.

I keep her young. How can Mommy be so upset with me? I know she loves me to pieces!

I have not been pleased, however, with Mommy working late. She's changing jobs, and the old job she has is getting over tomorrow. She's been working long hours and being gone longer and longer. Last week she came home, fed me, and left again for a couple hours. I was not pleased. I took my angst out on the shower curtain. Mommy says its not very good anymore; shower curtains aren't supposed to have holes in them. One of them is even big enough to climb through.

I hope she got the message!

Getting Very Comfortable

Mommy's been busy lately, starting with her camping trip last weekend. I guess she does this often. Becky came to check on my food bowl.

The Scribe came to do her laundry today and I had to show her my stuff. Mommy showed her where I've indulged my new pleasure: biting & digging at the table cloth. I've put holes all through it.

Mommy found a perfect solution to my needing to be on the table. She put my cat bed in the middle of the table! She and the Scribe were examining my nap in the bed this afternoon. Apparently Boogie used this bed when he was king of the house, and he just barely fit in the bed. Me? I've got plenty of room to spare.

The Scribe says that I've put on a little weight. I don't look scrawny anymore.

I have been helping Mommy out. She's been trying to work with yarn, but she leaves strings all over. So I pick them up and run with them. I took the wrong yarn, though. She says she had just thread it through the needle and when she went to pull it through, it was gone. I already had it in the hallway!

Mommy and the Scribe had a wonderful meal of stir fried veggies for lunch. I did my best to help them out. When Scribe opened the door to the fridge, I tried to pull the bread off the top shelf. I just can't help myself; I must play with the bags!

I do enjoy hanging out on the counter, watching Mommy prepare her meals. Everything smells so interesting and .... oh .... the crinkly bags. Popcorn bag wrappings... noodle bags.... bread bags.... I don't mind which ones they are. Just as long as they crinkle.

Mommy caught me chasing my own tail this morning. I wish it would stay still so I can check it out!

This is Really Cool

I never heard of such a thing as "Diary of the Day." Can you imagine that Catster thinks I'm cool enough to feature on the front page? I can't wait to tell my mommy when she gets home!

The Home has been so busy lately with Lisa and the babies being over. It can get downright distressing. The babies call Mommy "Memere" and Mommy just loves it. The babies also love it when Mommy rocks them and sings to them.

This is bothersome to me. When the babies (Mommy calls them Emma and Lucy) are in Mommy's lap, I can't get in it.

I have found a really cool place to sleep, though. The babies are cool for some things! Mommy has this seat she put on the kitchen table. It's for babies and when they lay in it, it vibrates and plays music. It is just the right size for me to curl up in, wrap my tail around my body, and watch the goings-on in the kitchen. I just don't understand why I can't sleep in this perfect space. All I hear is "Ivan, get out of there!"

Last night the Scribe came over to visit, too, so we had Lisa and Scribe and both the babies there. The Scribe made food, and Mommy and Lisa fed the babies. Then the babies were ready for bed, and Mommy rocked them.

ah ha! I spied my chance. Mommy put the babies down and picked up her yarn work. Faster than you can say "Ivan", I leaped into Mommy's lap and gave her a headbutt right on the chin. Mommy put her yarn work down and gave me attention.

Mommy calls me her buddy. I'm glad we can hang out together, even when the babies are here. They do make such a racket, though!

Invasion of the Little People

I just love my mommy. I must be close to her at all times. When she goes into her bed at night, she curls up in her blankets and all I can find to touch is her head, so I've taken to laying on top of it. Mommy says she doesn't get much sleep that way but she's been enjoying my company just the same.

Speaking of company, human sister Lisa came back with that baby of hers. Mommy left for work on Friday and promised me she'd be home early to put me in my box and we'd go for a ride to visit Dr. Shawn. She never came home. She was gone such a long time that my food bowl went empty and it didn't get filled.

When Mommy finally got home she was sooooo tired. She told me that human sister Becky's baby decided to show up a month early and it was all exciting and worrying and busy but she's so happy that the new baby is okay and doing well. So that's why Lisa and the baby had to come visit.

Mommy's also been watching that other baby she calls Lucy. She holds Lucy a lot, which means that I can't get into Mommy's lap. I have discovered the solution, however. I just get in the baby's lap and THEN I can touch my mommy's face. She has such a beautiful face, too. Lucy's lap is so small though that it's hard to get into it. I end up laying on her belly and by her chin, too.

The good news is that everyone in my world is doing okay, so that makes me one happy cat!

The First Report

I've been here for 9 days now. Thankfully, I am told that this is how my life with be: just me and mommy. The kids don't live with her. She's got a lot of them! I've got 4 human siblings. Three of them are married, and 2 of them have babies. The last baby will be born in about a month. One of the girls, Becky, has a chocolate lab, named Maggie, who thinks that this space called my home is actually hers. We will have to set her nose straight the next time she comes over. It's mine now!

I have settled in very well. Mommy is already complaining about the cat litter I track into her bed (she says scoop litter is baaaaaaaaaaad and so fine) and that I leave footprints on the counters as I hop around on them. Did you know about all the exciting things on counters?

I'm also finding water in so many places. I stuck my head in Mommy's cup to drink her water, and she says that her long-ago cat, Missy, also drank out of her cup. I also love to drink out of the sinks, the bathtub, the washing machine (Sister left it open when she did laundry so naturally I had to climb in and sniff) and my 2 water bowls - I've got one in the bathroom and one at my food mat.

I love to hang out with my mommy. I'm not content unless I am right in her face, nose to nose. She's been making something with yarn. It is quite a fascinating process. I can't be bothered with cat nip but pouches and wrappers and bags - oh I love them! My favorite wrappers are the ones that have soup in them. I fight Mommy for the wrapper when she opens them up!

I've been coughing, though, and snivling. Mommy and Sister Stephanie (she's my Catster scribe) think I have a cold or a respiratory thing going on. I get to meet Dr. Shawn later this week for my free well-kitten visit. We shall see!

Ahhhhhhhhh CHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!