One of the ways I like to have fun

Sometimes when Mom is in the bathroom, I like to go in with her. But sometimes I just sit outside the door and like to have fun. Here is one of the ways I like to have fun.

If you can't see it here, go here.

Tortie Tuesday with Gracie

Well, not much has been happening around here. Mom has been subbing a lot more, so she is gone quite a bit during the day. She says it's a good thing because then she can buy us our foods and litter, and treats and toys, but we miss her. It's been on the cool side for us Southern Californians (high 40's to low 50's), so I've consented to let Mom cover me with a blanket. I used to be scared of being covered by the blanket, but I don't mind it so much any more. Last night, I even snuggled next to mom under the blanket with my head on her arm. She made a pretty good pillow until she decided to move.

In other news, Cody has finally let Mom pet him without having to eat treats. He will only do it while under cover of the table, and it takes Mom about 15 minutes to win his trust, but once she does, she can pet him for a long time. He even rubs his head against Mom's hand to get more pets, and he purrs the whole time. Mom says it's really awkward for her because she has to sit in her chair, and stretch her arm down the side of it, and then up under the table to be able to pet him, but it's worth it to her.

We have also had an evil red dot invade our house. I keep trying and trying to catch it, but it moves so fast, I end up sliding on the tile floor while I'm trying to catch it. Mom hopes to get video one day, but it tends to only show up when it's dark outside, and most of the house is dark, so a video would probably be very dark also. I'll have to see if I can find the evil red dot in the daytime. Even Cody tries to catch it a little bit.

Cody and I have also been getting along better. He will come out into the rest of the house now, instead of hiding in his clubhouse (behind the couch). He yells at me when I come near him, but I haven't been swatting him as much. When Mom sees me getting close to him, she tells me to behave, and I mostly do. Mom thinks part of my swatting him, is half me wanting to play with him, and half me being a brat. I can't make up my mind whether I like him or not, so I keep getting close to him and then the swat just happens.

In case Mom won't let us blog again before Christmas, we hope everyone has a fun but safe holiday. Our Christmas wish, as always, is for all kitties to find a home and become formerly feral, kind of like Cody is becoming.

Formerly Feral Friday

 Hi - it's me Cody - I came out of hiding because Mom said she would let me post instead of the evil Gracie.  This is where I like to eat.  Mom was feeding me under the table I'm mostly hiding under, but she is trying to make me feel more comfortable coming out into the rest of the house.  I kind of like my little clubhouse under and behind the couch (except when Gracie tries to break in).  Mom put my litterbox on the other side of the cat tree, so I don't have to bother with the evil menace that calls herself Gracie.

 This picture is of the Evil Intruder Kitty (EIK) that has decided the lounge outside is a good place to nap.  Mom has seen EIK up there a couple of times.  Mom isn't feeding it or taking care of it in anyway because we think it might have a home.  It looks very well fed.  Mom thinks it likes the lounge because it is really warm there because of the big bathtub there - it reflects the sun.

Actually - we don't know if EIK is evil or not.  Gracie doesn't seem bothered by her/him - and s/he has been back there quite a few times that Mom has seen.

Mom says I have to show this picture too since Gracie is also kindof F.F.  Gracie is finally leaving me alone - right before this, she had been playing with the wand toy you see in the picture.  I was trying to play with it, but she broke into my clubhouse, so I had to hide.  Mom stopped playing with me so Gracie would leave me alone.    

We hope everyone has a great weekend.

Hello Again

This is how I have been spending a lot of my time. Mom has been busy unpacking and cleaning out Papa's house. It took almost 6 weekends for them to go through everything and throw a lot of stuff away. But, it's better now. There are still things to put away, but there are only a couple of boxes left for me to play in, so I think they are mostly done.

I've also been spending a lot of time up here. Mom will sometimes play with me on here, and I can look out the big glass window here and see the birds and other animals that visit. Sometimes Mom goes out through the giant window and gets in a huge bathtub and moves around a lot. I cry and cry and cry for her when she's outside in that bathtub. She won't get out of it though for a long time. She says she's swimming, but I just think she's nuts.

Cody is hiding as usual. He has decided that in back and under the couch is where he wants to live now, so Mom is babying him. She puts our food under the table where he feels safe, and she went out and bought him a new litterbox that I get yelled at for going near. She put it at the end of the table next to MY cat tree, and spoiled the spot I might want to sit in to look outside. She's also put a blanket and bed behind the couch and yells at me if I go back there. It's not my fault he won't come out from under the couch if I'm back there - I don't tease him too much. Mom says that he has let her pet him a couple of times, but he still doesn't feel safe enough for the daily petting that he was getting right before our move. He does come and demand food (which he wasn't doing at first) and treats, and will take the treats from Mom's hand. Mom is just giving him time she says. He played a bit with the wand toy tonight, but Mom says I ruined his fun. I don't see why she blames me - it's my toy after all, and I was playing with it first. I shouldn't be yelled at because he butted in on my fun.

Mom has also been using the hot as hell box a lot. She even let me try some of her cookie. It was delicious. It was tangy, and cinnamony, and yummy. It had a weird name though - snickerdoodle. She says she is going to be baking a lot more now, because she has a kitchen she can move around in again, and it's a lot cooler here at Papa's.

Mom says she promises to help us blog a lot more than once a month. We will see if she sticks to her promise.

New Toys

A couple of weeks ago, Cody and his mom had a contest to win a coupon for a free bag of Innova food. We won, and the package came today. Inside was more than just a free coupon. We got two mousies, a nice note, and a bumper sticker. The note said that the pink mousie was just for me. I LOVE it. I've been playing with it off and on all evening.

As you can see, Mom let me check out both mousies (and her computer mousie too), but I went straight for my pink mousie.

I think she needs a name - will you help me name her?

In other news, the "M" word has been mentioned again. Mom lost her job at the end of April and was doing substitute work for the school district, but there isn't any work in the summer, so Mom has been doing some work from home. Unfortunately, the company that Mom was doing work for seems to have gone belly up also, and they still owe Mom for 3 weeks of work. So, we are going to be moving back in with Papa by the end of the month. I've never lived there before, so I'm a little scared. Cody says that Papa is nice and that I will like it there. He also says there will be lots more room, and a tower that I can play on. So, I guess it won't be so bad.

Hello again

Wow, we can't believe it's been over two months since we've posted. So much has happened in that time. Mom has changed jobs, and has gone on vacation for the first time in forever. We know she's gone to Washington DC almost every year, but that was always work. This time she went on a real true vacation. She left us for a week to go to Zion National Park. She went with our Papa, her brother, sister-in-law, nephew, niece and niece's husband. She said she truly felt like she got to relax for the first time in forever. The only thing she said she worried about the entire trip was us (we had someone coming in to feed us, but she still likes to worry). She said she posted all her pictures on facebook if any of your beans are interested.

We do have some other big news to share regarding a certain grey kitty in our house. It seems like this grey kitty has truly discovered how nice pets can be. He comes up on the bed for treats at night and will let Mom give him pets. He's even been heard to purr every night for the last week. Cody has even let Mom zoom groom him, but that scares him a bit.

As for me, I am still the same. I still love my Mama, and still like to prick her with my claws when I am loving on her. I really need to stop pricking her because it just makes her give me clippy claws that much more. I still am not fond of Cody, and he's still scared of me, but he will come on the bed when I'm up there ( he's been too scared to do it for a long time).

Mom says she's trying to save up to get another pair of Tonks. She went to a cat show put on by the Tonk association, here in CA. The breed has changed a bit in the last 18 years, but just in looks-they are still the same loving puppy cats that they've always been. She says she misses the constant lap kitty presence - I will sleep on or near her, but only if she's laying on the couch. I won't sit on her lap, and as far as Cody has come, he'll never be a lap kitty - afterall, it's taken 11 years just to get him to like bring petted.

Well, we think that is all that's happened in the last two months. We hope we are able to blog more in the upcoming months. Mom hasbeen slacking as usual. Bye for now.

You'll Never Guess

You'll never guess what that woman who calls herself my mother did to me!!! She picked me up (which I hate) and took me outside and let a sticky person touch me. It was horrifying.

I suppose I should tell you everything. We live in an apartment, and I like to sit in the windows that face the middle of the the two buildings (the two buildings form a U with a pool/grassy area in the middle). Anyway, one of our neighbors has a sticky person that likes to say "Hi" to me. That's not so bad because he's on one side of the window, and I'm on the other. Tavi didn't mind saying "Hi" to him up close and personal, but I haven't been outside since I was adopted.

So, anyway, this sticky person gave Mom a box and bag of food for us, so she made me go out and thank him in person. I could have thanked him very well from inside where I was safe from all the scary stuff outside. Besides, while I like to sleep on Mom and lay next to her, I hate being picked up. It has to be my idea to get in her lap.

I was so traumatized after my experience, I had to come in and curl up in my favorite blanket and take a nap.

P.S. Mom is thinking of changing our blog name - we aren't sure about it. What do y'all think?

Hello Again

Hello again! We are all doing okay. Mom is home on winter break. We haven't been doing much of anything. Mom has been reading a lot, because it's been rainy and windy and cold outside. We got 7 days of rain in a row. That never happens around here. They have been saying that it was one of the worst set of storms California has seen in years. Mom just laughs because it really wasn't stormy, just rainy. But then again, there is that belief that it never rains in Southern California. Mom is weird because she likes the rain.

We also wanted to send a big thank you to the friend who sent Mom this wonderful pendent. She got it the Saturday after she helped Tavi to the bridge. She has only taken it off when she showers because she doesn't want it to get wet. The person who sent it to us got it from the esty shop Oliviamoon.
As you can see, it is one of Mom's favorite pictures of Tavi, with a beautiful sentiment on the back. We love it.

We are doing okay without Tavi. We all miss him of course. Both Cody and I miss sleeping with him. We don't like each other, but we both liked him. I have been trying to cuddle more with Mom because Tiki and Tavi were the cuddlers. I don't alway sleep on her, but I am trying to more.

In case we don't get to go online again before the new year, we hope you have a safe and quiet New Year.

Happy Christmas

We wanted to wish everyone a Happy Christmas!

Update - Tavi

Tavi here - Mom was trying to put up a picture of me, but she is too lazy to get her camera, and there is something wrong with her ability to send pictures via her cell phone. Anyway - we thought we would update you on what's been going on.

As you know, I have been diagnosed with CRF. I had to go back to the V-E-T a week ago, and they said my numbers are very high which is bad. Mom was at work when the V-E-T called, so it went to her cell phone voice mail. Mom called back to get some more information, and the V-E-T said something that Mom can't quite figure out if it's good or bad... he said that my numbers were so bad, he couldn't figure out why I was still alive... Mom doesn't know whether to take that as "Your cat is really a miracle because he should be dead," or "Why don't you just let your cat die?" He also said I shouldn't feel like eating. He called twice after that and left messages asking if I was eating and how I was doing. Mom is kind of under the impression that he thinks I am going to run for The Bridge any moment, but I am proving him wrong.

I am still asking to go get the mail with Mom, and the appetite stimulant really worked on me, because I keep asking for food. I even stole a piece of pepperoni with cheese on it today. Mom wasn't too happy about that - something about not being good for my tummy, but it tasted yummy. I am also still demanding pets and love from Mom and am still hopping up onto the counter to get to the TV stand so I can sleep on top of the Blue-Ray and wireless router. It's very warm up there. I've even sneaked out of the house a couple of times when Mom was leaving for work - that was fun, except I got caught too soon each time (I don't go anywhere, except to the end of our little hall and wait for Mom to pick me up - it's how we go to get the mail everyday).

Anyway, I am getting sub-q fluids every day. I also have to take blood pressure medicine so I don't have another stroke. I've been okay with the medicine, but I really don't like getting the sub-q fluids. I don't really fight Mom, but I definitely let her know I would rather be elsewhere. One day, I jumped down after she stuck me, and pulled the needle out. I don't think I will be trying that again because I just got stuck again. All in all, I am doing remarkably well for a cat that shouldn't be alive.

As for Gracie and Cody, they are both okay. Mom just got a new throw from Sam's Club that Gracie absolutely loves. She kneads on it and suckles it and goes completely gaga over it. Cody has his days where he will jump on the bed for treats and let Mom pet him (she almost gets misty eyed every time it happens because of the long wait to be able to do so.) She says his fur is very soft and he will now stop eating his treats for a few seconds at a time and just enjoy the pets. He is still a scaredy cat about everything else tho. He's so cute because he raises his behind in the air to get more pets. Mom says this is proof to never, ever give up on trying to win over a cat. It's taken her 10 long years to be able to touch him, and she doesn't think he will ever get much beyond where he is now, but just being able to pet him for 2 or 3 minutes is a miracle she never thought would happen.

As always, we thank you for your continued friendship. We are so sorry we are unable to comment or visit as much. Mom used to do a lot of it while she was at work, but she has a different boss now that gets all frowny faced about it.

Happy 'Tocktober Day Derby

Today is our good friend, Derby's, birthday. In honor of him, we are posting our best 'tocks. (We don't do 'tocks very well - sorry Derby)


I don't have much 'tocks anymore since I've lost so much weight.


Gracie has lots of 'tocks, but she's such a lady, she doesn't like showing them off.

We hope you have a great birthday Derby. You deserve it.

Mo Cats Day

In honor of Mo Cats Day, we've decided to include pictures of all the cats in our family and pictures from some friends of ours.

One of Mom's favorite pictures of Tavi.

Cody sleeping with Camie.

Gracie looking a little annoyed at having her nap disturbed.

Tiki (now at the bridge)

Miss Jade (now at the bridge)

Our cousin, Einstein. He is now a whopping 16 lb boy. (We don't have a picture of Dharma - his sister)

The intruder kitty from Christmas, 2~1/2 years ago - Belle

Belle's cousin - Ewok.

17 years young & Update

Well, I am 17 years young today. It is hard to believe that I am that old. Of course, it is also my brother's birthday, even if he is at the bridge. Mom's birthday present to me (well, really all of us) is that she is home for a whole week. She took off a vacation day, and then has four furlough days. She says she doesn't mind the furlough days because they took the money out a little at a time over all of her paychecks, but she gets to take the days off all at once (so it's like a mini vacation).

We are sorry we haven't been updating. We are all okay, but I have been extra clingy with Mom since Camie went to the bridge. I have been asking Mom to hold me almost constantly when she is home. She has been a little bit concerned about me because of it, but she is giving in to my demands for the most part to be held all the time.

Gracie is her usual self. She is still very sweet with me and very bratty with Cody. Of course, Cody starts their arguments half of the time anyway, so we can't blame it all on Gracie. She still loves to knead on Mom with all of her feet while she purrs and drools. She also takes long naps on Mom until I come up and kick her out of the way. I wouldn't mind if she wanted to share, but she won't. She's kind of selfish.

Cody has the biggest news tho. He has been letting Mom pet him lots while he is eating his treats at night. Mom has been able to pet him for almost a minute. As you know, this is a HUGE improvement over his previous behavior. He still gets spooked easily, and will move away from her if she makes any sudden movements, but at least he will sit still and let her get some good petting in on his back and he doesn't run and hide if she has to move. Mom is going to try to get some video of it if she can. She says it's hard to take video and pet at the same time, especially because it's Cody.

Thank you all for staying friends with us. Mom keeps saying she is going to go back to helping us visit and blog soon.

My Gotcha Day

Hi, Gracie here. Wow, I can't believe it's been a year since I was gotcha'd. A year ago, I was living out in the desert where anything could have eaten me, and only given the very basics of care and attention. Now, I am my mama's spoiled baby girl, and have all the food, love and attention a girl could want. I also gained 2 brothers and 2 sisters when I was gotcha'd, even though one of my sisters ran off to the bridge. The big one is still here though, and loves me to sleep with her. I have also gained friends from all over the world whom I love very much. I think I was very lucky the day I tried to eat some food in a box that captured me. I love my new life and love that I was gotcha'd.

A Gracie Tuesday

This is what I did on Mama last night. I am not normally a "lap" cat, but Mama has been noticing lately that if I am tired, I will sometimes sleep on her instead of near her. I slept on her so long that her arm almost fell asleep. Of course, that is a bonus.

Camie (and Gracie)

We don't often post pictures of Camie because this is our blog, but she had to go to the V-E-T on an emergency yesterday, so we thought we would ask our friends for some purrs for her.

About a month ago, she got a lump on her neck, so Mom took her to the V-E-T then and they did a needle biopsy, but it came back just showing blood cells. The V-E-T assumed she had an edema and told Mom to keep an eye on it.

Well, yesterday when Mom got up, she took Camie out for a walk and she was fine. About 15 minutes after she came in, Camie was panting in the kitchen, and wouldn't come lay down. Mom finally got her into the living room to lay down, and noticed that her neck was starting to swell up. Mom thought it was an allergic reaction, so she drove to Target to get some antihistimine medicine. She gave her a pill, but realized almost immediately that the swelling was a lot worse, and that it would be best to take her in to the V-E-T.

When they got to the V-E-T, he decided that it didn't feel like an allergic reaction, so he took a couple of x-rays. Fortunately, they showed that her airway wasn't closed at all and that the swelling was all on the outside of her neck area. He still isn't quite sure what the problem is, but he kept her for the day, and gave her a steroid shot to help with the swelling and some antibiotics for her to take in case it is an infection of some kind. He also took bloodwork to send away to the lab and we should have the results later in the day today.

Here is what her neck looked like last night - about 12 hour after Mom first noticed the swelling. We are sorry the pictures aren't that great, but Mom still hasn't found the camera so she used her cell phone. (The bruising is from the bloodwork they took - not an injury)

Here is a bonus picture of Gracie playing with a flashlight spot. She isn't smart enough to realize that the light comes from Mom and you can't ever catch it.

PS - We also want to wish everyone a very happy New Year. We hope everycats' beans are safe tonight.

Tortie Tuesday

Wow, little did we know that when Tavi complained about not having enough Mom time, how much we would be getting. Mom came home from work last Tuesday with a fever and has been home sleeping, snorting, hacking, honking, and complaining about how much her head and ear hurt ever since. We liked it a lot for the first few days and spent a lot of time snuggling with her. Now, we are kind of tired of the interruptions to our sleep with her hacking and honking all the time. She is finally starting to feel better, but is still planning on staying home with us at least one more day. Of course after Friday, she will be back home with us for two weeks for winter break, but by then, she should be feeling better and not interrupting our naps.

Formerly Feral Friday

Me Gracie. Me don't know if me Formerly Feral or not, but me found outside, and me only trust the Mom person at first. Me likes to sit on the back of the couch - this is where me is now. It has the best view of the pool area. Birds like to hang out there, so Gracie escape and som friends We hope y'all have a fabulous weekend.

Thursday Thirteen

Me Gracie. Me decided to post 13 things that maked the MLP go "Oh Gracie" this week.

1. Me chasded Cody under the bed. Me not like Cody much, so me chasded him under the bed - Gracie thinks he belongs under there.

2. Me used MLP's wicker dresser as a scratching post. It's perfect for that, so Gracie has to stretch and scratch, scratch, scratch.

3. Me pokded Tavi when he walked by. But he swatted me back, so me had to pokded him again.

4. Me tasted the MLP's dinner. It was okay.

5. Me convinced Tavi to play THoE at 2 in the morning just as the MLP was trying to go to sleep.

6. Me walked across the computer 50 million times.

7. Me chasded Cody again.

8. Me scratched, scratched, scratched, scratched, scratched in the litter box. Me likes to makded sure everything is well covered.

9. Me ignored the MLP when she called for Gracie. Me just kept hollering for her so she would come to me, not the other way around.

10. Me sat near Tavi and let him lick Gracie's head.

11. Me sat with Camie and purred.

12. Me fell asleep in a cute position.

13. Me loved on the MLP and prickded her lots. Me liked it so much, me did it almost every day.

Thankful Tuesday

Me Gracie. Me sad today. Me not always like Jade, but me miss her now. Mommy says for me to tell everyone "Thank you!" So, thank you everyone for your purrs and condolences and hugs for Jade and for us. We are so thankful we have friends like you. Tavi and Me, Gracie, are spending lots of time loving on Mommy. Her is still sad, but her knows her did the right thing, and her knows Jade is healthier and happier at the Bridge.