Sleep is the kind of thing you really need to function correctly. It gives your body the chance to recuperate from the day's activities, such as hunting 8Leggeds or Thwakking. Apparently, scientists tell us, that we only burn around 50 kCal during sleep, that's like a handful of kibble, so note to self, never go to bed on an empty stomach is my moto. Even if that kibble is going to sit on your waste line, you don't want to wake up starving!

We have to sleep because it is essential to maintaining normal levels of cognitive skills such as meowing, remembering where that kibble went under the washing machine and innovative and flexible thinking (trying to reach said kibble!). In other words, sleep plays a significant role in brain development.  So I sleep to increase my brain power, cool, so when I wake up one day, I might rule the World after all - now to work on those opposable thumbs!

I like to sleep quite a lot. More so than the CatWomen. They prefer to be up and around and catch the odd forty winks swaying from side to side, pretending to be awake. Where as I find the comfy spot on the bed and snuggle right in. Momma usually comes and gives me a kiss and covers me over, I make gentle purring noises and prup prup as she covers me. Lillibet is a snuggler too, she likes to be VERY next to someone. This is awkward at times as some days you just want to kip on your own.  She gets grumbled at by Faith and to watch Lillibet work her way into a pile of cats is genius. Ears flat back, sneaking inch by inch into place in a totally subservient way so as not to rouse suspicion.  But if she lays on Momma, it's full flounce, tail wagging and purring so loudly your ear drums are at bursting point. 

Faith and I sleep together a lot. I love her, she is easy and she loves me too. We will gently kiss and she will just lay down, with the minimal of fuss and there we will stay, back to back or sometimes I cuddle her like 'cat spoons'.  She is sweet and doesn't snore!  Then along comes Lillibet, the stealth sleeper and it nearly always upsets the apple cart... well, three is a crowd right?

KS =^..^=

We really do not know what Momma is playing at.  Only last month Lillibet & I were locked out in the CatPod for a few hours in the cold and damp and now today the very same thing has happened to Faith. Of course, Lillibet and I were thrilled to see Momma's face at the patio door wielding noms left, right and centre. We forgave her stupidity quite quickly.

Faith though, takes things to the extreme. She is a highly delicate creature and holds a grudge.  She has this habit of dashing under the table and hiding in the box on top of the catposts and watching the birdies. She never makes a squeak and unless she is seen, it is presumed that she is in!

I remember once, and I am going back a number of years before CatPods and even CatWomen were here and I had been pootling about in the garden on a summers day and found myself locked out for a whole afternoon.  It was quite nice at first, lounging around in the Orb shine and then I needed a wee wee.  I was so good, I didn't go anywhere, but held it all afternoon until the Parentals came home to find me and my full bladder pressed up against the patio door in anticipation of being let in.  It was one of the nicest wees I have ever had. I was in the tray for ever, whistling away!

So, what to do with Faith now she is in a funny mood?  She was pressed in between the outer cat flap and the inner cat flap bashing away to create a din, squeezed into the wall cavity yelling her head off. In my opinion, why it took her two hours to ask is beyond me... but then again, the patio door is triple glazed and I bet she beat her tiny feet on that for awhile before hand? Momma opened the inner catflap. nothing?  She opened the door, nothing? Nope she was hiding again. GAH. She had spotted Lillibet in one of those 'it's behind you' moments and decided that Lillibet was an alien from outer space - well, I can see the resemblance.  They danced a dozy-doe and fluffed their tails at which point Faith was swept up and rubbed warm.  OK, she was already warm, but her tiny paws and huge ears were not!

We shall all wait with baited breath to see if her 'hypothermiated' body and fragile mind have recovered enough to recognise us when she wakes from her deep traumatic sleep!

KS =^..^= 

There is one thing that we all find more important than any other and that is quality time with Momma.  Ok, so ManSlave is OK, but Momma time is special.  It's the time when each of us has a special moment each day and it takes place when none of the others are around. It's quiet time and it's made just for us.

Lillibet starts the day with her time, usually in the morning, after the feeding and cleaning have been done early morning and Momma brings a cup of herbal back to bed and it's this time that Lillibet sneaks in and lays on Momma and snuggles right in and purrs. Occasionally, she might take her time, but as soon as the cover is drawn back, she nips over the top, stepping over the blankie and lays on Momma's chest or in the crook of her arm.  It may only last a few minuted with Lillibet, she is ever so busy and these moments are the ones I see Momma smiling at to start her day.  If Lillibet doesn't get 'this' moment, she takes another moment, a moment as the Parentals exit the shower and wrap their towel around and BAM, there is a Lillibet velcroed to their chests in a, well, strange leggie purring cuddle. It sure is unique!!!

Faith is the enticer. She is the one that will squeak and squeak and find things to 'entice' Momma up to the Kitten Room - her room! Be it a toy or just her standing on the bed wailing until Momma goes and checks on her, then she will stand on her head, Faith, not Momma, and roll about displaying 'love me' silliness and then she will trot after Momma and jump on the beds and want a quick 10minute cuddle, where she snuggles in and purrs and purrs until she falls asleep and Momma covers her with a blankie and she sleeps a happy sleep.

Now me, I am the true deserver, the others are happy with the extra hour of games each evening, chasing the 'Frenzy' or playing fetch, but me, I don't go In for such frivolities. Oh no, I like at least an hour all to myself and make quite a din until I am given what I need and what is essentially mine by right! After dinner Noms, I YAWP. This is when Momma makes their dinner and I YAWP the whole time until she is finished and then I run around YAWPING even louder until they have finished and I may even THWAK a the CatWomen if they are awake. Then as soon as the dishes are cleared away and drying up done, all of which I have YAWPED through, I get to have MY TIME! Kissing and cuddling on the sofa, keeping one eye out for ManSlave as he pfffts at me as I get kissed and kiss Momma. I purr and puff my whisker pads out and open my mouth a tIny bit to make it more audible and it resonates through the room. I am a champion purrer and kisser and paw padder - but only for an hour and then I am done for a whole night and I start again the following day.  If I don't get me time - their time is miserable!

KS =^..^= 

Lillibet & Faith went to the Pet Show to show people of the UK a Devon Rex.  Well, we all know that Lillibet is not the best example, but if nothing else she made a huge impression and was a real super star. She lapped up the attention and really showed her self off in a good light.  He Mother on the other hand did not enjoy the event and managed only a short stint on the table and by the time a few hundred people had stroked her beautiful coat, she expressed that she would prefer it back in her pen.

Lillibet lay in her bed all day and wore her bandana like a pro and was happy to be touched and fussed. Momma had a piece of lovely material which felt just like a real Devon Rex, so got people to stroke that as none of the Devons on the day had any coat - except for Faith! It worked well.  They would look at Lillibet, Momma would explain about the Devons and where they came from and why Lillibet was a little different - then they looked at Faith in her pen and stroked the fur.  it worked very well. Everyone got to touch a cat, feel the material then look at one who was sitting showing off her curls but didn't want to be petted.  It was a good day really

I think if I had been there, I would have won the crowds over and been the peoples choice, but alas, with my skin and not being vaccinated, there is no change of me ever going and strutting my stuff!  Styrofoam Slinky went in my place an I got a few new Facebook friends!

KS =^..^=  

There is a muffled squeak that comes from Faith when she has something very special to present to you is second to non and often can be confused with calling or being stuck somewhere or having her legs sawn off!  The squeak carries on and on until someone goes to find out exactly what it is she has found, or tortured. She invariably brings it to the Parentals bed or the kitchen table and then squeaks and squeaks until she can present it to the right person. If you are not the right person, then even more squeaking ensues until the right one appears and this is usually Momma or Lillibet if Momma is unavailable. 

The gifts in the last week have been anything from a little leaf, tiny stick, flower petal to more exotic large bluebottles or huge EightLeggeds, newts and even a froglet. Every gift is precious and Momma lovingly strokes her and takes her gift and strokes her some more and says "thank you honey, all this for me?" Faith dances about on her tippy toes, weaving her tiny body around and tail held perpendicular and quivering. Tiny little mep mep squeaks come out and she takes Momma's hand and holds her fingers with her mouth and then falls on the floor or bed or table wrapped around Momma's hand and still mep mep mepping and then resumes a ritual marching dance akin to a top dressage horse in full piaffe passage all around Momma and touching, ever so gently, the little gift she has presented. 

We are not sure if Momma stock piles these gifts and occasionally, if it is really pretty, Momma will pop it on the kitchen windowsill for a few hours and then they mysteriously disappear into the ether - poof!  The live ones are released back into the wild with the odd leg missing and some never make it that far.  The bluebottles & EightLeggeds get too soggy and usually 'don't make a full recovery' but most of the froglets and newts benefit from a good licking and carrying to the highest point in the house. These, obviously, can't be placed on the windowill for 'show & tell', because well, they simply race off and the chase starts all over again.

Lillibet brought her first froglet into the house not long ago, but she doesn't have the enthusiasm for gift giving like her Mother. Faith has topped this ever since she moved in back in 2011. She never fails to amaze me with the things she finds pretty and worth giving. If she thinks you special, she will offer you a gift. This, I also find very odd, because Faith loves me and yet has NEVER brought me a gift?  Although, anything edible is eaten immediately and usually stolen from her, maybe this is why I am bottom of her gift giving list?

KS =^..^=

sometimes we get to sleep with Momma. Her legs get fidgety so she gives ManSlave a night or two off. On these nights we get a right royal evening of cuddles and fuss and vie for her attention.  I like to sit on her chest and look under her book and purr loudly. Faith likes to take her time coming to bed and has to take Lillibet hunting for rogue spiders and unsuspecting bugs.  Once the hunting is over they both come to bed.  That little Lillibet plonks herself on top of me. that makes a cat \ human sarnie with me as the filling.

Momma created a two pillow bed for us to share, it has a soft plush blankie on it, this is where Lillibet sleeps for the rest of the night, on her own I may add! She only stretches out to touch Momma's face and let's out a silent miow when she wakes.  I then snuggle as close as I can get, to the point of inhalation of her carbon dioxide.

Faith is more subtle, she is an armpit warmer and snuggles right in and purrs so gently that it feels like she is shivering. Not like my bone healing rumbling purr! She also touches Momma's face intermittently to make sure she is still there. Faith also likes having her paw held during the night which is tricky when she is shoved into Momma's armpit.

Lillibet thinks she has the best place to sleep and it does look comfy, but Faith and I have slept together for a few year now and having Momma in between us is more than perfect for us. Lillibet likes time alone and a few Thwaks and stares from her assures her a good night alone!

KS =^..^=

Maystar CatWomen and CatBoys are so unpredictable! I say Maystar, because Faith, herself has a different upbringing and is a complete angel.  Lillibet, Jasmine and their brother Jamie, on the other paw are incredibly bold and just a tat outspoken.

We hear fresh from France that Jasmine is a complete and utter madam with a capital 'M'.  She was taken to see her vet for their 'arrival' check up and claw clipping after their long journey from Ireland and Jaz disputed that she needed to see a vet at all and complained to Eva & David that there really wasn't any need. So, to prove her point she threw a tantrum at the vets and bit the vet!  Bit him I tell you, clean through his hand.  Jamie is not an innocent in all this either, he has on more that one occasion taken out his frustrations on the vet and only recently he had to go in for a check up too because he literally 'swims' in his water dish and it upset his constitution somewhat and he 'gave out' to the vet too!  Momma was horrified that they should behave like mini hooligans, but Jaz was even more outraged that Momma said she needs to visit and re-train them!

Lillibet has always been a hot head too, not quite as much as Jaz though, oh no, she is determined, but wiley all the same. Just the other day (and that is another story) Lillibet ate too much (as I say - another story) and her derriere was a little, lets say, unclean! Momma unceremoniously washed her behind and Lillibet was good, really good and momma went with her as she walked forward on tippy toes so as not to distress her too much.  Then Momma had to hold her for the last bit and Lillibet hissed!  Well, it was the funniest thing you ever did hear, this hiss.  It was quite a feeble hiss, but she did mean it.  She also wasn't quite sure where exactly that hiss had come from and looked around for the cat who had done it. This was Lillibet's very first hiss since she was a tiny kitten.  She looked totally perplexed!

Well, later on that day and with new found confidence, she hissed again at Momma when Momma asked her to come out of her food hut.  She didn't want to come out of her food hut just yet,(she was dozing) so she hissed!  The thing was... that hiss scared Lillibet so much that she shot out of the food hut and then returned on her stomach to investigate who had been in there with her? She then spent the following hour stalking the food hut until she fell asleep, with one eye open you understand!

KS =^..^=

There is nothing like a Mother's Love to sooth away your worries and woes. Lillibet dotes on her Mother and Faith just idolises Lillibet.  These pictures show a serene bond between them, but, in reality, there is some amount of grumbling coming from Faith as she berates her daughter for disturbing her slumber.  Lillibet, ears flat to her head and in total submission will sneak under her Mum and lay so still whilst Faith bites her ears or feet in annoyance. Then licks her daughter all over and peace resumes - they dream.

If I am laying anywhere, Lillibet will plonk herself right on top of me, not caring if I can breath or not.  It's in her best interests to move me and grab my warm spot. I very rarely say anything and just move over into the cold patch and carry on dreaming.  She is a little madam! 

Faith is a lady and will always ask if she can come in for a snuggle and often she will lay between my paws and we 'CatSpoon'. It's a lovely way to relax in the arms of a friend and I do love her so much and she loves me so much. We were made for each other and as they say, opposites attract!  But you know, that Lillibet really does have to get in on the act and we never have a moment to ourselves. She is rude and bargy, but I guess all she really wants is love, the warm spot and a good snooze... oh, but on her terms of course!

Nope, I think I am in agreement with most of you. It's nice to have the love and affection during your sleeping hours. But, to my mind, the best undisrupted sleeps are on your own!

KS =^..^= 

The Orb is out and it is feeling spring like. It is now a race between Faith and Lillibet to see who can clear the cobwebs from the CatPod first?  Last Spring, Lillibet wasn't really strong enough to climb the CatPod walls and ha to make do with sitting on the shelves to reach the silky sticky webs. But this year, she is stronger, more agile and far quicker than her Mother!

I don't really see the point in all the running around. I prefer to soak up the Orb in one place and chasing eight leggeds and six leggeds is not on my agenda.  I don't get what all the fuss is about really. It's not like they even taste good!

In one leap they are up the wire, terrorising those poor critters and wrecking their homes everyday, just so they make more webs for them to eat. It's shameful and cruel. They have spent all night making those webs, just for a pair of marauding lickers to desecrate everything in seconds. They never harm the eight leggeds though, but only because they are farming them! 

So what happens to all the silk once it enters a cats mouth?  Well, like candyfloss, it melts with the warmth of the licker and it is sweet by all accounts. I try not to think that has firstly come out of an eight leggeds posterior! It then races down the gullet and into the tummy where it begins to expand and create a wrapping action. It creates little neatly created packets of chocolate gold ready for dispense into the cat trays for Momma to dig out in wonder. 

Eightleggeds have seven different types of silks for different jobs - lets hope the CatWomen don't catch onto this or we could be in for some wonderful surprises.

KS =^..^=

Why do the CatWomen insist on playing rough? It all starts when, usually Lillibet, wants to play and her Mother doesn't. Although Faith is not an innocent in all this. She too can really put up a good fight. I, of course, never get myself into these situations. I am more savvy and. big hiss ends them running.  But together they have a good rough and tumble until one of them becomes over tired.

We heard from Jaz & Jamie who are now in Ireland, soon to be traveling back to France. Jamie had harassed his sister so much whilst she was sleeping and Jaz had bitten him and drawn blood. These Maystar Women sure are tenacious in their attitude and Jamie, bing the only Maystar boy really has his work cut out for him. He is meant to be the most important, not bottom of the stack!

All is well that ends well, the CatWomen are so happy together, Faith making these three kittens was meant to be and she loved Lillibet so much and Jazz & Jamie loved each other so much. There was no separating them. The main thing, I guess, is that they are all so happy together. I will always be a Momma's boy so I don't need company, even if company wants me!

KS =^..^=

Marauding:- going about in search of things to steal or people to attack.

All three of us have been in trouble over the weekend and in Lillibets case, most of the week.  It took those 3 stolen zipper tapes a good few days to make their way into the world again and Momma, although a little worried, was, in my opinion, a bit too excite to see them!  

Well, you would think that the zipper tape incident would be enough to put Lillibet off for a few days, but no. She went on to steal ManSlave's bookmarks several times over the weekend. They are made from bits of rolled up tissue.  They are all gone and pages lost and lots of swearing at his lack of memory. He doesn't know he actually 'did' put a marker in the book and is now thinking he is going senile. We shall not tell him just yet! 

Faith stole a plastic glove, the kind you get when you fill up with diesel, luckily, they are biodegradable. She had eaten 3 fingers and a thumb, quite the snack when she is supposed to be on a diet! She has also chewed the edges of the biscuit packaging and not all of it was there, so no doubt she has swallowed copious amounts of cardboard too!

I have been the Prince among thieves and had my licker at the ready for dregs of coffee from abandoned mugs, congealed fat from the griddle that was in the microwave and was left out in favour of re-heating pizza. I also had me a lick of the kitchen sink where the spaghetti water was emptied  out and to top it off and my killer move. Wait for Faith to let herself out from her 'food hut' and as soon as she unzips the zipper, stick your head through the opening and bolt as much down as possible. I have now been thwarted at this one. Momma has clipped the zipper shut. Damn!

Well, as far as the Marauding goes and topping off the stealing, I also had me a go at ManSlave. He was slapping my butt and I was enjoying it, then it became the sort of game that made ManSlave laugh so much that I got over excited and Thwakked him and bit him (in a fun way). I haven't ever really been like that before and I quite enjoyed doing fake attacking on his hand and arm and got myself all of a jitter in returning his slapping.  I even did a silly dance and made silly noises and bounded around like a kitten.  I am not sure if I will do it again, it took alot out of me and I don't want to be seen as a whoosy cat!

KS =^..^=

Yesterday there was a delivery from the USA.  Really, Rockville to be exact!  Aunty Kristen and the little Salmons packaged up some amazing and unique gifts especially for us.  There were green beans for Lillibet, which of course she loves and in the summer Momma must be reminded to freeze even more bean strings to take Lillibet through the winter months as she is continually after 'vegetables on the chopping board'. None, I hasten to add, even resemble fresh green beans.  I have my suspicions that it's really the peeler that sets her mind a jangling!  So, she is has been kitted out with substitute winter beans for her enjoyment.

Faith received a set of centipedes and we all know how when she was a baby she use to bring all sorts of bugs and leaves into the house as 'gifts' for Momma.  I feel this is going to continue this year now that she has had the Neuter-UM chip.  Well, already she is back to her old funny self, carrying around her toys and squeaking all and sundry at everyone.  I mean, who can understand her chatterings with a bright orange centipede hanging from her mouth?  I could also say that there has 'been' a little 'bean' frenzie since they arrived and it sent Faith into crazy antics and she didn't stop running around the house for hours.  

I, on the other hand, was sent the most darling of mouses and what can only be described as a kidney.  Momma said it was a heart, but nope, it's red and looks for all the world like a kidney to me.  Because I didn't feel up to playing with the mousie, Momma made me wear it for the photographs.  I am not amused by this and as much as the CatWomen tried to get me to play... I just felt a little grumpy.  Well, a lad can have a day off right? And anyway, when everyones backs were turned, not and hour later, I did take that mousie and gave it a good Thwakking behind the fridge for grinning so much!  ManSlave said I was just being spoiled because the kidney wasn't edible... but it did smell jolly nice of catmint!

We are very lucky kitties and so spoiled really... We are still reeling from all the toys that arrived at Christmas from Aunty Penny and the 4 'E's. Lillibet was ecstatic, because only a week before her squeaker Mousie had died and here was a brand new one for her to play with.  It was the only thing which really floated her boat.  Faith loved the paper and has a new crinkle ball and boy was she happy with that and still runs around the house with it in her mouth calling Lillibet to play - only to not to really want to share it... but kinda does, kinda doesn't.  Me - well, I am more of a vallarian connoisseur!  I like it when my back legs stay grounded and my head sort of falls on the floor and my front legs go akimbo, a bit of racing around and that's me done!  

Not only did we get all this, but from Aunty Carly and the fluff monsters, there was a Frenzie bird toy on our arrival home from our Xmas adventures. Well, that set the cat among the pigeons... Lillibet was hooked and has turned into a growling flying frenzied fiend. I, for one, am steering clear of that little whirlwind for awhile - she can't half twist & shout! 

KS =^..^=

PS. It's a full on post today, because we have friends all over the World feeling sad, poorly and some are in hospital right now and we wanted to cheer everyone up.  Thinking of each and every one of you.
Lots of love from the Maystar Pride

There has been serious amounts of pinching and punching going on in this house today. Not a few minutes past midnight, after the kissing stuff 'YUCK', there was the fight to be the first to be pinch someone and shout 'White Rabbit, White Rabbit - no returns'.  Momma got first dibs on ManSlave, he gave her a lovely kiss and she pinched and punched him right there and then! He was furious as he has held the record for 17 months in a row now of getting Momma just as she opens her eyes on the first of every month... traditions!

I have to say that Lillibet gave me a particularly large pinch this morning and I took it upon my self to punch her right back, I thwaked her good and proper, but she laid into me and I had to be rescued my Momma.  She is becoming a little devil for taking things literally. Yesterday, she beat up her mother. You just wouldn't warrant her tenacity for the whole thwakking thing. ManSlave was pairing socks and she attacked his hands, where he was putting socks the right way around, she just pounced and bit into his sock covered flesh.  Remind me never to wear socks!

Faith of course, stayed out of the proceedings and tried not to be involved.  She ran around the house squeaking 'White Rabbit, White Rabbit'. Not that it did her any good... She got pinched on the bum by me.... well, she does have a cute little butt!

KS =^..^=

It was a super long drive to have a Christmas break and one that made a few of us a bit peeky, namely Faith, who manage to be sick in Momma's boot and handbag, not to mention all over the front of ManSlaves car. Poor Lillibet was in the footwell at this point and had a fair share of flying biscuits all over her... she was NOT amused and hasn't been in the footwell since!  Besides the traumatic beginning of a five hour journey, we fared pretty well and were ready to cause some trouble at dinnertimes, present opening and luncheons...

At first, Faith was really unsure about visiting the Grand Mews in Wales and Aunty Jobo, but once she realised where she was, she was happy to race about and fill her memory banks of when she was 9 months old and she had her first Christmas there. Unfortunately, Lillibet was a bit clingy, so Faith beat her about the head a few times and was mighty grumbly for a few days.  Now familiar with her surroundings, she tried to climb onto kitchen surfaces and tablecloths to see out of the high windows... After this little debacle, we were somewhat banned from the kitchen. "It's not like home" she kept saying as the Parentals lifted her down for the umpteenth time to rescue the table cloth from Litter feet!

Lillibet, once settled, became so bold.  She was enjoying the freedom of running from one end of the bungalow to the other and you could hear her little bell tinkling on her collar.  Personally, I think it was this she was trying to get away from. There was a super chair that was brand new and never a claw had stuck it!  This, of course, was Lillibets favourite chair.  It was by the window and looked out over the fields.  She was told to get off copious amounts by various humans, but she is stubborn and just turned her back on waving hankies and prodding!  She climbed onto the dining table at one point to see what folks were having for breakfast, she was pushed away, which made her go all stiff and she went to raise a paw at the offending human, only to be stared at by Momma.... she got down muttering "But I didn't do anything, I was just making sure the milk was fresh".


Of course, the second my feet hit Welsh soil, I knew where I was. Although, due to the long travel, I was a little off my usual colour. Not that it stopped me from eating my noms, but it did render me bed bound for a day.  I am getting older now and all the stress of thinking we might be left behind this time, took it's toll! Once up and about, I did make myself useful and checked out all of the warm spots in the house and showed them to the CatWomen.  I even got a small run outside in the fresh air. I like that, quite invigorating to nip hither and thither under your own esteem.  Problem is, I wanted the freedom all of the time and kept on and on, until someone took me out for a wander.  There is only one place the humans have 'allowed' me to sit up high and this is by the backdoor. It's a compromise as it's a no cat policy in the kitchen, but I have been coming here for a few years now that I have ground them down into accepting this small area as mine. They are such kind folks and really, we are so determined, it must be quite a drain on their patience.

All in all, we had a super time.  It was fun and a little different being in such a big house with so many nooks and crannies to explore.  The CatWomen loved to dash about under the furniture and along the narrow windowsills. I am not sure if we will be invited back again though? I think three of us bending humans to our will was quite enough for some Grandmews.  We are well behaved, in a naughty sort of way!  


KS =^..^=

It's Lillibets second Christmas and we thought she may take on some of the traits of her siblings in Ireland, trashing the 'KissMouse' tree, but no.  She is an Angel and with all of the big scratch posts and toys, she really isn't bothered about a tree covered in delectable decorations. Although, this year, Momma didn't hang the pretty icicles that dangle, so maybe that was the reason.  Whatever the reason, it's very relaxing to know that we all just lounge on the sofa on the warm heated blankies and watch the lights twinkle.

That was all before Momma dressed us up in our Christmas outfits.  This is not usual, but this year we have been out and about visiting friends and each of us had had little coats to keep us warm in the Winter breezes. The CatWomen actually don't mind theirs so much (contrary to the image above) and they can still race around the house at full tilt wearing their jackets. Faith is the only one with real PJ's but still gets chilly and Lillibet and I are virtually starkers... I can't honestly believe it has happened, but how else do we keep snuggly at other peoples houses when their heating is not as hot as ours? And we do love a good snoops around!

I don't wear a coat, It renders me totally immobile. I refuse to walk and make out my legs are made of jelly.  I can however, walk quite naturally if there is a bowl of food waiting for me at the other end of the house and then, remarkably, I can run and everything! So instead, I have a thin thermal T shirt and because of that I have had a Santa hat plonked on my head to get me into the festive spirit. Festive Spirit, I shall give them Festive Spirit alright!  Ho Ho Ho.... bah Humbug!

KS =^..^=  

 

Every Morning is the same... The ManSlave and CatWomen banter in the bathroom!  It goes something like this...

Lillibet "Squeak"
ManSlave "I know what you want"
Lillibet "Squeaaaaaak"
ManSlave "I have to shave first"
Lillibet "Squeaaaak"
ManSLave "Ow!"
Lillibet has hitched herself to his hip and is climbing the towel!
ManSlave "you are gonna slip, Ow, yep, OW..EEEK, OW..."
Lillibet now sitting on the side of the sink helping with shaving, having climbed full length of ManSlaves towel.
ManSlave "Do you want to pull the plug Lillibet" 
Lillibet "Squeeeeeeeeak" (her voice is going) 
There is excitement now and Faith gets down from the radiator with a thud on the loo seat and gets into the shower tray.
ManSlave "Ok, this is it, waters coming Faith"
Faith "Mep mep"
Lillibet "Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeak"
You hear the plug being pulled, Lillibet is on the loo seat (you can hear it moving) Faith is in the shower tray... gurgle gurgle gurgle... the water is running up through the plug hole in the shower and down the plug hole in the sink.  Both girls are ecstatic. Faith picks out the plug hole cover and carries it into the bedroom and leaves it just outside the door.  Lillibet is now after a treat.
ManSlave "Come on then, dreamies time - who wants a dreamies?"
Faith and Lillibet squeak in unison (it's deafening), Lillibet runs to the stool and Faith to the bed and they both balance like Meercats waiting for their treat.
ManSlave "Right, there you go.  Good girls, pretty beautiful girls"
He finishes with their snax and heads back into the bathroom, stepping onto the discarded plug cover.
ManSlave "Those blinkin' cats, you are all a pain in the arse!"

He loves us really!

KS =^..^= 

It's the time of year when the Parentals traipse around the countryside delivering Christmas cheer and hopefully pick us up a turkey from some far fetched free range farm... but this year year on their trip to Wales, they brought back tails of a Seagull?  We were unimpressed with the lack of food they brought back from their short trip and there we were, slavering and waiting for them, to have nothing placed in our paws.  YAWP!


We had been left with Uncle Paul as they were doing a long haul visiting trip and it was cold, so better that we didn't go.  I am not so sure.  At our end we ha our noms weighed out and presented in the usual style and nothing extra.  There is no fooling Uncle Paul, he follows everything 'to the letter' and no deviating.  This is of course, just what the Parentals want for us, but of course, Uncle Paul gives us our four meals a day in two meals a day.  It's feast or famine around here and whilst you are eating double portions at breakfast and dinner, the hunger center inside you still dictates that you are due two further meals.


Well, the CatWomen had it sussed. They decided between them that they would rather eat on the table out of Uncle Paul's hand instead of their dinner boxes.  They really played him like a fiddle and he lapped it up, giving each one their biscuits in turn.  ::Shakes head::  When Momma got back and did night time Noms, the CatWomen sat on the table shouting that they were not getting the same treatment as they had for two days. Needless to say, heartless Momma let them starve and my morning, fading away and with their final breaths, they crawled into their dinner boxes and ate the whole bowl and licked it out! Momma will never be played for a fiddle - mores the pitty!


KS =^..^= 

It's been so busy around here and I for one have decided that keeping out of the way is possibly the best thing to do.  It's been year end week and for some reason this entails Momma being chained to the office desk from dawn till dusk and sometimes back into dawn again.  I have never been the type of Office Cat to stay the distance, I much prefer the comfort of the bed in the kitten room, it is soft and warm.  You would think that the CatWomen would opt for a soft bed and the warmth of the heated pods, but no, they stay on a Year End Vigil, right there on the desk.  Faith was there the longest and she opts for the same space each time, just near the Chinese pen box and behind the stapler.  Lillibet takes a more direct approach and likes to sit on the working accounts to make it known that she is THERE!  This, for some reason, is OK with Momma, as if she sits in between the turning pages, it kind works. 

The only thing is, when the CatWomen help, they do tend to make the most of their own office techniques and this consists of hole punching and shredding.  This is acceptable on most items in the office as receipts and invoices won't really be seen by any one other than the Parentals and James the Accountant.  But every one draws the line at letters leaving the house or court documents, these are a definite no no.  Faith is the shredder and Lillibet the hole puncher, so it's easy to say who has done what, just like the reconciling marks Momma puts on the figures!  James the Accountant is a good fellow, he puts up with alot of, shall we say, cat eaten corners on 90% of the incoming documents.  There is no good trying to stop them both would be daft, it's their way of helping and that's what makes our office unique to most home offices around.  It would be dull if Momma shut the door and locked us out, who would we pester at lunch noms time and dinner noms time and occasionally late supper time? 
KS =^..^=  

Do you see what they have done, these naughty CatWomen? They have single pawed unraveled the loo roll in the en-suite.  They are just so naughty and really it's all Faith's doing, she is the paper shredder in the house and is teaching her daughter all these naughty habits.

Faith had been squeaking and creating in there for ages and when Momma came in to see what all the noise was about she promptly jumped onto the radiator, with loo roll attached to her claws and pretended it wasn't her, but Lillibet, that had done all of the damage.  She has that look of... who me?  But the little piece of paper on her head gave it all away.

Between her and Lillibet they shred more paper than the mechanical one in the Maystar Office. The pair of them hole punch and shred paper, card and anything else they can get their paws on. No letter, envelope, package, loo roll or polly roll safe in our home.  Just the other day Momma found Lillibet had hole punched the Court Papers for a tenant and Faith had chewed the corners from a Soliciors document, not to mention how they help ManSlave with the Sunday papers.

I have never done anything like this, I don't see the point in munching stuff that has little calorific content, I would rather raid the fridge or the bin, both of which are locked, but I am teaching myself lock picking, but Momma keeps trimming my claws.

KS =^..^=

There is a lot to be said about balance in a home.  It has taken a number of months to get to where we are today, but it has finally come about and we are all being snuggly Devons.  Before Faith's 'neuter-em' chip and Lillibets 'ladybits' being removed, it was a different story of head sitting, jealousy and tension.  Now, it's like a switch has been flicked and we are finally all at ease.  We had the first bonding session when Mr.Zeus left home to live in Milton Keynes, we gained new camaraderie and affection for each other. Then when Lillibet became poorly, we all rallied around to make her better and Faith has taken on roll of doting Mother ever since. 

Just yesterday, ManSLave was playing with Lillibet with her 'chain-straw' and they were having a ball.  Faith, who is quite a spoiled little lady, wanted Lillibet to play with her, so she ran into the lounge, squeaking and creating, raced to the twigs in the glass vase and promptly began to flick them against the wall, making an enticing sound. Lillibet was so into playing with ManSlave that she ignored the first 'call to action'.  Faith then upped the tempo of squeaking and broke off one of the twigs. Running around the house calling Lillibet and carrying the twig.  That was it, the sound of twig tapping the wood flooring and the walls on the stairs, Lillibet had no option but to leave ManSlave and follow her Mother. ManSlaves face was a study. He was gutted to the core, to be left for a twig!

I have found myself, that I am a bit more playful and have enjoyed the odd moments of glee. We all then, have a mad five minutes with me in the lead, racing hither and thither, creating mini train of squeaking, racing cats.  I then find my self in the hallway, YAWPING at the top of my voice and them exhaustion over takes me and I have to lay down, where I am now followed, not to have my head sat on, but to be washed and kissed.  This is the life!  They are still my CatWomen, but I feel more in control of the love.  I could get used to this!

Well, no rest for the wicked, the roast is calling me. I must resume normal duties of tripping up the parentals and making sure they don't burn the crackling on our little piece of freerange piggy.  I shall have to press my sniffer closer to the oven door to check into it's depths, then beg for a tasting. Lillibet will help with the vegetables and Faith only likes ham. More for me then!

KS =^..^=

Well, we have various different visitors, the main one being two Grey Squirrels. Bimbo & Topsy, the Squirrels are so funny to watch and it becomes a whole family affair. They are so acrobatic and can smell seeds where ever they are hidden.  No good keeping them in the shed, they ate through the door! Faith particularly enjoys watching them hang upside down and scuttle along the fence and fly through the branches of the trees. Such characters.  Momma was a little perplexed when she found holes in the soil in all of the garden pots and blamed the mice, but it is Topsy & Bimbo burying their wares.  They are a sweet couple and quite chatty and full of themselves and OUR Sunflower seeds!

We also have the sweet mouse family, we don't discourage them because they are quite darling and have adorable little whispy tails.  They don't cause any trouble and our resident garden cat 'Ipec' keeps a close eye on these and often takes her little prizes home for her human Mum. Much to Ilke's distaste, she once found a field mouse in her work bag during a class at Uni! Eeeek.  So really, if Ipek enjoys keeping our mouse population down naturally, then all the better and they tend not to show their sweet little faces around here much.

The Hedgehogs are also back in town, their little gateway is being reused and we are noticing the ever increasing population of slugs finally declining!  This is good news for Momma's lettuce and hostats! They are really healthy this year and we have lots of places for them to sleep and hide out during the day. Of course, we can't leave out any food for them anymore, because resident Garden Cat, Ipek, thinks it's for her. So Momma waits for her to go home and leaves it in under a box with a very small hole. Problem solved. Happy hogs going into winter, but an unhappy Ipek who has to walk home for her supper!

We have many more visitors in the form of frogs and newts.  the newts are the funniest little creatures and earlier this year Lillibet found her first newt experience quite thrilling. She had found him in the kitchen? Don't ask how they climb the 3ft sneeze barrier in the CatPod? My thoughts are they sneak up through the decking, but Faith INSISTS they climb...doh! Any way, Lillibet found a little baby Newt and squeaked and squeaked until someone came to rescue it. Mr. Zeus would have been proud as it was his job to locate Newts!

Most of these little creatures will go away for Winter and they are stacking and storing all sorts of berries and yummy things to take them through until Spring. But there is one visitor that we are not that happy about and they seem to take over this time of year, are the RATS!  EEEK. We love to watch them jump and leap and find cleaver ways to search out food, but because they do it during the day now, the Parentals have had to put their foot down and call in Stan the Ratman. We try and wait until all the others have gone into hibernation, but this year is warm and creatures are still running around and the Rats seem to be very determined to stay.  Even Ipek can't scare them off, she is quite scared of them!   We do apologise to your and your families little rats, but you are now as big as cats and you will take away the subtle balance in our finely honed garden. Stan is a thoughtful Ratman and takes all our concerns into consideration. Sorry to see you go, but you all need a little reminder to move away, back to the water courses and stay there!

KS =^..^=

Well, it's all very well cat sitting a peeky family member, but it really does knock the stuffing out of you.  I am bush wacked and just can't seem to get enough shut eye.  The senses are set to high alert and even though Lillibet is recovering well now, it's still a huge amount of ware and tare on the mind, body and spirit.

Take Faith as a fine example, she knows that her daughter is poorly and she spends all her time watching her. At first she was angry at Lillibet and reprimanded her to make her get up and when Lillibet first had her operation, she did get up when Faith told her to. But as she became poorly again, Faith became more motherly and washed her alot. Faith chose not to eat during this time, so Momma has been feeding them together to make a little competition between them and they have had so many vitamin licks with extra vitamin B to make them hungry. It's working, but of course, I am stressing too and my way of showing it is to YAWP and POOP! I can't seem to get enough food and the four meals a day is no match for the 9 or 10 that Lillibet and Faith are getting AND they are both getting newborn kitten biscuits because they are higher in protein and have probiotics in them.  I understand that they need all of that, but I could do with a bit of pampering too!

Faith and I are ushered into the kitchen at night, this means that Faith can't graze on her Noms because, I would eat them for her! We have been issued with a heated bed each whilst lady muck gets to sleep between the Parentals on a heated blankie and spoon fed at regular intervals... Not that I wish to be sick, but I wouldn't mind a bit of that TLC either!

KS =^..^=  

TIMES OF CHANGE:-
Well, considering this 'Neuter-em' chip is meant to make the CatWomen quiet, it has done nothing, so far, for Faith! Lillibet on the other paw, after 5 days has become OUR Lillibet again and is back in the land of the living.  Momma had drugged both of them after night one of the 'neuter-em' chip because of the yawping that went on ALL NIGHT and then they just seemed to get louder and louder and LOUDER each day!

Faith is still loud, she likes the sound of her own voice and stands with her head in the litter tray just bellowing! Now that Lillibet is 'off call', we can now play together and yesterday, for a few minutes, she and I gamboled through the lounge chasing a rolled up crisp packet! I was even a bit silly and climbed the cat post and hung upside down.  I haven't done that in so long I got a bit of a head rush and had to lay down and just watch from the side lines!

Also changing today is the smell of the roast.  Momma has prepared a turkey breast with streaky bacon and the two smells are just heavenly.  I keep visiting the oven front and letting out a YAWP as I know that in a few hours of gentle steam baking at 160 degrees, that turkey will be just right and because it's turkey WE ALL GET SOME! 

Now, the only thing left for a peaceful Sunday is to find the OFF switch for Faith.  She had us up at 2.30 am with her screaming, it's little wonder she can keep going all day and night without stopping.  This 'Neuter-um' chip really is going by the book with her.  I think ear plugs are in order as the octaves have risen and the screaming increased to such levels we had better tape the window and hide the glasses.

KS =^..^=   

A VERY BIG DECISION:-
There had to be a choice made about the screaming CatWomen and the choice had to be what to do next about having babies?

Faith of course really wants babies again, but after the loss of TomFun & Otello in one year, the parentals didn't want to have kittens just yet because it 's too soon.  Lillibet is still a little young and not fully developed and would have at least another 5 or 6 months of growth to be done, but like her Mum is yawping for boy cats.  The other issue of course is where to take Faith to make babies, she really doesn't like going out and gets very thin and has terrible nightmares when she gets home, she isn't the happiest at being away from Momma and Momma really hates her being away.

So, Momma did lots of research and with the help of our new vet Simon, we came to the conclusion that a contraceptive implant called Suprelorin could be the answer to our concerns and give the CatWomen and mainly me, a rest from the yapwing! You see, even I am getting stressed with all the sitting on my head they both do and I am not fully recovered yet with my food troubles, so it makes me a little grumpy!

Momma whisked the CatWomen to the vets, where Simon used a HOOGE NEEGLE to inject the chip.  Momma had primed their skin with numbing cream before hand and given them happy juice in their noms.  But oooh, that NEEGLE! Even Simon the Vet went a bit weak at the knees when he injected Lillibet and him and Momma looked at each other and shivere.  Faith growled at him because he had scruffed her neck and she thought she was in for a treat, not a HOOGE NEEGLE in her neck!  Neither of them were best pleased at having to wear little jumpers for the day either and spent the rest of the afternoon, telling each other off, but they didn't sit on my head once...bonus!

This chip is meant to make them REALLY LOUD for a few weeks then they 'should' quieten down.  The chip is only sort of licensed for dogs... I hope it won't make them BOL  (bark out loud!)

KS =^..^=