The Fuzz Factory

time to wrap!

2011-12-15T08:18:00.000-08:00

Mama says it's almost time to pull out the wrapping paper. Her closet and the surrounding floor is covered with bags. She's decided to not be embarrassed that this is a Goodwill Christmas. Lots of shirts for Uncle Jerry--Izod!--laundered and boxed. Books for Uncle Jerry, Aunt Ellen and Auntie Althea. Everyone knows that it's secondhand or not at all this year. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, right?

Purr and pray please

2011-12-01T23:17:00.000-08:00

DaisyMae Maus is my cousin. You can click on her name to go to her blog to read what her Mom (my Mom's niece) says about DMM's health. It's scary, and I'm worried.

I've been purring a lot. My purr is loud and rumbly. You can probably hear it where you live if you know to listen for it.

We know DMM is getting fluids, and that fluids often a help a kitty feel lots better. Let's get all our purrs--soft and quiet and loud and rumbly--focused on her so she'll feel better!

Let's send prayers, good energy, and hugs to her Mom, too, so that she can feel all the support and love.

Know what I heard?

2011-11-25T14:21:00.000-08:00

>00<

I heard Santa Paws on the roof yesterday. Yes, I know it was Thanksgiving, but I heard Santa Paws. I know I did. It had to be!

Mom says it was Uncle Jerry on the roof clearing out a couple of leaf-stuffed gutters. She's trying to confuse me.

You know what's weird? I love my Uncle Jerry. A lot. I'd like to call him 'Dad', but Uncle Jerry says 'No! I'm your Mom's brother. I can't be your Dad.'

(sometimes when he isn't paying too much attention, I purr him a special little love song...and I whisper 'dad' at the end. i don't think he'll mind too much, especially if i don't tell.)

mama culpa

2011-10-20T12:01:00.000-07:00

at least that's what mama says. too much going, and nothing going on--both at the same time!

there's been time for cuddling, for brushing! (have you seen my floof? i require LOTS of brushing) when it gets to 70 degrees outside, mama opens the door in the family room and i get to go out. if it's chilly or wet, i come right back in. i like warm and cozy much more than prowling longish damp grass.

i've heard a rumor that there's going to be turkey here today. i'm not much for people food, but i might give this a try.

mrow!

peaceful late summer days

2011-09-08T10:26:00.000-07:00

It's been warm here. We've had several days of weather in the upper 70s and lower 80s. I shed. Mama brushes or combs me. I shed. Mama holds me. I shed. Gee, I see a pattern here!

Even though I got a tummy trim for the summer, I'm still developing lots of matted fur. Mama has small, extra-sharp scissors. Uncle Jerry holds me and Mama does the trimming. I complain but I don't really mind. I mean, c'mon, two humans loving on me at one time?! Does it get any better than that? Didn't think so.

Here's one thing that I can't say I really like: since Mama quit her job nearly two weeks ago, I haven't had much extra cuddle time with her. She's always busy doing something. Today, she says, the table will be done. Then she has a meeting in downtown Seattle this afternoon.

Tomorrow is her busy day: she's got client meetings and then she meets with the President of the Board of Directors where she used to work. We're all curious about what's going to happen with that one.

omg!

2011-09-04T20:53:00.000-07:00

...paw over eyes...

I can hardly believe what my mother and Uncle Jerry did to me tonight.

They took me for a ride in the car! They said it was a--get this--joy ride! As if. Seriously...as if!

They said they'd like me to get comfortable with car rides so we can go out as a family. I don't know about that.

I did shed. More than usual. That part was fun.

The heat is on

2011-08-31T11:38:00.000-07:00

We don't really mean this Glenn Frey song. We mean that it's too cold here, and we've turned on the furnace this morning. It's nearly noon, and it's only 60 degrees outside!

Luckily, it's supposed to get warmer over the weekend. Mama's got a table she's been refinishing, and would like to do it while it's not cold outside. The stain dries faster when it's warmer.

Instead of sitting here at the computer, Mama and I are heading to her big chair. She rented The Lincoln Lawyer from the local Redbox, and we'll be watching that for the next little while.

Mama's also studying up on how to do linkies and other things, since it's been so long since she's done any of this stuff. We hope the linkies work for you!

the best days!

2011-08-30T12:07:00.000-07:00

Mom did a huge favor for me! She quit her job so she can be a stay-at-home-cat-mom. Has your mom ever done that for you?

I LOVE my Mama!

it's already started

2011-08-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

Has it started at your house, too?

I've started to shed. You've seen how fuzzy I am. I shed more than the average cat. Mom can brush me in the morning during the in-bed snuggle, and then again in the early evening. Both times, she says I've given her enough fur to make another cat. Not a small one, either.

i wonder if i can convince her to stay in bed tomorrow?

2011-08-21T23:26:00.000-07:00

Mom's had a busy weekend, even though she doesn't have much to show for it.

the table she's been (re)finishing got messed up with the spray-on protective coating. She's going to have to sand it a bit, add another coat of stain, and then use brush-on protective coating.

Uncle Jerry likes the project and thinks it's beautiful. He doesn't like having no table in the dining room though. So the old table got brought back in--I snoopervised, of course!--while Mom finishes the new table.

Mom had an email from her rheumatologist (I had to look it up!) this morning. She's got an appointment with him on Wednesday. It looks like the diagnosis of PMR isn't correct. Time to get off prednisone and try something else.

You should hear Uncle Jerry rant about Mom being on prednisone! He could rant for over an hour about all the problems it causes! Mom thinks he might be more bothered about it than she is. Whoever's more bothered...Mom's been on pred for over a year. It's time to get off it.

I've been trying to convince her to go to bed. The shower can wait until the morning. I've almost got it clinched...

insomnia by any other name

2011-08-21T02:42:00.000-07:00

...would still stink!

Mom's trying to get to bed by 11 pm every night. It's clearly not working tonight. It's nearly 3 am and she's still awake. Uncle Jerry closed the windows before he went to bed and it got way too hot in here. Windows open, and now voices travel from an all night party across the way.

There are youngish ones who slink into our yard in the evening. Uncle Jerry tried to pet one. The young one demonstrated exceptional skill in walking backward. With a little practice, he might be able to moonwalk! mol

Another late night

2011-08-18T01:45:00.000-07:00

Here we go! Two posts in the same year...month!

Mom's got insomnia again. There was a time about 2 hours ago when she could have slept, but she missed it. Dang it! Now she's awake for awhile longer.

The kitchen table is almost done. A little more sanding and one last coast, then the clear coat--one or two applications--and it will be done. We'll post pictures.

We have new neighbors. They've been moving in quietly in the evenings. We don't know if they have a woofie, and hope that they don't. We'd like the quiet to continue.

Mom found a Weber charcoal grill on Craigslist earlier this summer. She's gotten pretty good at grilling food--mostly burgers and 'dogs. "dogs?! Mom, you wouldn't..." "You're right, Ben, I wouldn't grill woofies, even if they're noisy and unfriendly."

The one thing Mom hasn't tried to grill yet is chicken. I heard her mutter that she's a little afraid of trying because she's never done it before. Maybe she'll get brave this weekend.

And now for the household tip of the blog entry: if you have an area that is troubled with mold, place a few charcoal briquets in a coffee can that has some holes punched in it. The charcoal will absorb the moisture AND it will neutralize any odors! Pretty neat, huh?

a new blog post after a really long time!

2011-08-10T01:53:00.000-07:00

Mom finally closed the patio door. Her feet and mine were cold.

Did you know we have a patio instead of a balcony? That's because we moved into a house a year ago. A house we own. Mom, Uncle Jerry and ME! Our very own house.

Yes, it's a lot of work, but both Mom and Uncle Jerry say it's worth it.

Last night, Mom and Uncle Jerry zoomed down to Bremerton to buy a round table for the kitchen. It has one leaf. The table top needs to be refinished. Otherwise, it's perfect! Smaller than the large rectangular table, and just the right size for the kitchen/dining area.

Tonight, they went out to get a torchiere for the family room. They moved the love seat and coffee table to the garage--with the hope that they will go away soon--along with the big table--put the wicker chair from the living room into the family room, and realized they needed a new lamp.

Craigslist rocks when it works well! It's been working well for us.

Even though it will be awhile, Mom's got the redecoration of her bedroom all figured out. Mostly, that will take paint, and a new headboard (ok, just a headboard, as she currently doesn't have one). She read Christopher Lowell's book on the 7 layers of design, and really liked his idea.

She said (very quietly) that she doesn't like to look at Mr. Lowell. The scale of his head is a little off, and slightly creepy. It's a good thing his looks don't interfere with his ideas, because she thinks he's got it right.

Now less quietly, Mom reminds me that looks don't have much to do with anything. She says that if looks had to do with everything, she'd stay home hiding in her bedroom until she's off prednisone. Mom's had a prednisone moon face for months, and just hates it. She won't let anyone take her picture, and feels like she has to explain to everyone why her face is so round, and why she's gained so much weight.

Now we're waiting for the meds to kick in so we can go to bed. With warmer feet (remember the patio door got closed), maybe sleep will come soon!

sunday with the curtains open

2009-11-22T12:07:00.001-08:00

if you remember from a few posts ago, mom has had a corneal ulcer. this is really painful, and mom had a lot trouble trying to be comfortable while it healed. a big part of what she needed was dark because her eye was so light sensitive. our curtains were closed for a long time.

this morning, she opened them! it's raining, but beautifully green on the golf course.

btw, last night when she was washing the leftover gel-goop out of her eye, she came real close to just snipping the sutures and pulling them out herself. i had to remind her that the v-e-t's supposed to do that. she almost didn't listen to me, but i got real LOUD (MRAW!), and gave her a BIG head butt. she restrained herself, and the stitches are still there. she's practically counting the hours until her appt on tuesday.

obviously

2009-11-21T17:44:00.001-08:00

mom didn't get her stitches out on wednesday. she's a little bummed. there's nothing wrong...just have to wait to get an appt with the doc who put them in.

there are two docs that work together: the cornea guy and the eyelid guy. mom's seen both of them. the cornea guy pronounced her well, and she has to wait to see the eyelid guy. so tuesday around 1:30 the little sutures will come out and mom should be able to open her eye completely.

New picture tomorrow - we hope!

2009-11-17T20:53:00.000-08:00

Mom has ANOTHER doc appt tomorrow. This makes 17 in 5 weeks. She's hoping that she'll be able to post a picture of her eye without the sutures tomorrow night. She was wondering if the needle/thread holes will close or if she'll have the equivalent of pierced eyelids? if she cries, will the tears come out of the holes?

it's a school day

2009-11-04T13:18:00.000-08:00

i decided that mom should teach us a lesson about eyes.

first, she's going to show you a picture of her right eye.

if you click to biggify, you'll see the bruising from the injections, and the sutures from the tarsorrhaphy (the accent is on the second syllable). tarsorrhaphy is the suturing of the eyelids to protect the eye.

when the picture is biggified, her eye looks wet because mom uses antibiotic eye drops. now she uses two that alternate on the hour, plus an additional one every four hours. until this past monday, she was using two that alternated on the half hour, plus one that was two times per day. she's a fan of the polder digital timer that she wears around her neck to help keep track of her dosing schedule.

the tarsorrhaphy was done so that mom's eyelid wouldn't scrape across the healing corneal ulcer. before she got her eyelid sutured, she would open her eye after sleep and her eyelid would tear open the ulcer again.

mom's v-e-t said that women who have gone through labor and childbirth say a corneal ulcer is more painful. mom believes that.

here's the lesson: most eye injuries heal in one day. if your human has an eye irritation that lasts longer than one day, insist that she/he go to the v-e-t immediately.

(mom knows that her eyebrow is in pretty sad shape, but she's not about to tweeze or wax while she's got this going on...)

It's all Mom's fault

2009-11-02T10:38:00.000-08:00

Mom's got a black eye. The outer edges of her right eyelid have been sewn shut to protect her eye so it can heal from a corneal ulcer. It's been ridiculously painful, and Mom lost her sense of humor for awhile. Now that she's feeling a little better, she's thinking she would have made an awesome zombie for Halloween!

We'll post pictures when she finds the camera cable.

cleaned up the house

2009-10-04T11:21:00.000-07:00

yesterday was sure busy! i spent lots of time snoopervising mom's work of cleaning the house. except when she got the sucky monster from uncle jerry's (he lives right next door). i don't like the sucky monster. truth be told, mom doesn't like the sucky monster either.

somebody got mom a 'cup cozee' from http://www.mysistersbag.com/CC-Cats.html. it's really cute...kitty faces! (mom needs to re-learn how to embed links into posts. i'll go pull out the book for her...i'm so helpful!)

cool and lovely

2009-09-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

can you believe...mom turned on the heat this morning! it was delicious! i tried very hard to convince her to stay home in bed. she turned me down...something about needing to buy kitty food. at least she has her priorities straight!

thursday afternoon

2009-09-24T13:53:00.000-07:00

sometimes mom takes naps with me. she puts her arms around and hugs me tight like i'm a teddy bear. i like this a whole bunch, and i purr and purr. i think she's getting to scoop me up to take a nap with her in just a few minutes. i am a lucky cat!

mmm. naps. cuddly naps. Zzzz

first day of autumn

2009-09-22T14:02:00.001-07:00

and the overcast weather we had over the weekend is GONE! it's supposed to be nearly 90 today and tomorrow!

it feels pretty good...and it cools down so nicely in the evening!

The rainy season

2009-09-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

Hey, it's almost autumn. Here in Seattle, that means the rainy season is almost here. 'Wait!' you say. 'Isn't it always rainy in Seattle?' Actually, it's not. It rains more in lots of other places: Chicago, Houston, NYC, and Miami all get more rain than we do. Out of 365 days, we have 140 days with measurable rain. Ok, it does put us in the top 20, but we're not first. We are in the top 5 for overcast days though. The ones that come before us are Anchorage, Forks (for those vampires, don't ya know), Astoria, and Olympia (WA's fair capitol city).

Mom says for many Western Washingtonians, the overcast days are vital. People relax and settle back into their slower paces when it's overcast. It's cooler, and many people breathe sighs of relief.

As a kitty, I'm breathing a sigh of relief as we get closer to those cooler days. They're calmer. More relaxing. Mom's more likely to make a lap for me.

Mom will talk some about Seasonal Affective Disorder soon.

Mom's forgotten

2009-09-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

Mom's forgotten just almost everything she knew about how to use the formatting language for this blog. I wonder how long her learning curve will be?

There have been major changes in our lives here at the Fuzz Factory. My little sister Lucy found a new home late last winter. Mom knew that Lucy needed more than either she or I could give her. We're not very energetic, and Lucy wanted to play. Actually, she needed to play.

We've developed a new activity here. It has a few casual titles, but probably needs something more official. One casual title is 'lean on Mom's face'. Another is 'press my chest fur against her nose and glasses so she has trouble doing anything but loving on me'. My favorite place for this activity is when she's semi-reclined on the couch. It works in bed, too.

Besides that, Mom has developed a new technique for grooming me. We avoided the dreaded 'lion cut' this year because she and Uncle Jerry groom me at least one time per day. The grooming is done in three stages. I love all of it. It starts with a small black plastic brush. I fill it with fur several times. Next is the Zoom Groom. That is the coolest thing ever! Finally--and who would ever have thought to do this?--Mom uses a lint brush on me. The last loose furs are picked up with a delicious gentle tugging. My furs are soft and shining when we're done. I'm not called 'handsome boy' for nothing.

That's about as far as we'll go for now. We'll see what happens tomorrow.

and so it begins

2008-07-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

mom had intended to post pictures of us and her new car. did she? no. she's been busy helping uncle jerry get ready to move into the condo right next door to hers.

mom says she skipped her work out this morning because she knew she'd get her aerobic exercise cleaning. both she and uncle jerry did.

anyway, it may be a few days before the pictures...but there will be some, we promise!

ben & lucy

lots of changes!

2008-07-25T08:27:00.001-07:00

we told you about mom's new job. she ends her current job in two weeks, has a week off, and then starts the new one on august 18. last night she sold her leaky old car and bought a new-to-her car. it's a 2007 hyundai elantra. she says that brand new ones are almost impossible to find unless she wanted to drive a stick shift. mom says she's too old to drive a manual transmission. what she really means is she has arthuritis in her knees and does enjoy the process. she's not really that old...although she says she's old enough to be mother to most of the sales guys at the dealership.

anyway, she'll post pictures tomorrow.

things are looking up in the fuzz and fur household!

almost a month

2008-07-13T16:10:00.000-07:00

what are we going to be with our mom? she doesn't seem to post much! it's not that she's not on the computer, but that she doesn't let us on.

daisy's mom featured us on her blog today. check it out...she's got great pictures and everything.

between us, the reason mom's not been letting us keep up our blog is that she's been looking for a new job. she has a job. she doesn't hate it, but she wants something else. she's been looking for a long time.

she put in an application in march for a great position. the phone screen interview was in mid to late may. a week later there was an actual phone interview. three weeks later, a 4.5 hour in-person site visit. a week later, another site visit. a week later, a job offer. four days later, a meeting to negotiate salary, three days of waiting, and then notification that mom's requested salary had been met. two days later, an offer signed. two days later, a credentialing packet arrived via fedex. that was this past friday. mom's been working on it all weekend. there was some advice at the beginning of the packet: once the paperwork is completed, keep an undated and unsigned copy so you won't have to complete it again. mom says that that is some of the best advice she's ever heard. mol.

she starts her new job august 18. i don't think we have enough paws between us to count how long it took to get from application to start date.

even with all the time it's taken and the paperwork she's filling out, mom is thrilled with her new job. she says it's the position she's been looking for for the past 10 years.

sun

2008-06-15T12:33:00.000-07:00

we had some sun yesterday in the late afternoon. mama was quiet when she went for the camera, and we let her take this picture.

lucy's got some 'splaining to do

2008-06-14T16:05:00.000-07:00

hi everybody! how you doin'? do you have summer yet where you live? we don't. not yet. mama says it's probably not going to be warm here this year. she says she doesn't mind...she's got webbed feet from living in the pacific northwet for so long.

when we do have a little bit of sun, mama's on the deck moving plants around so they get as much exposure as possible. she says the basil looks a little wet...and kind of yellow-green.

she started us a little pot of catnip. in about 3 weeks, it's not so little anymore. she brings me leaves when she goes out to water and turn the pots into the sun.

you know that there's a little competition between ben and me, right? we both want mama's attention as much as possible. with his 'lion cut', he's cold, and wants to snuggle a lot. (mom uses quotes for the lion cut because the groomer CUT OFF HIS MANE!)

i like to cuddle because that's what babies do. yes, i know i'm a year old. uncle jerry says that i'm a woman, but mama and i know that i'm still a baby. i want mama and me time every day. several times a day is even better! i like to be held on my back. i purr while mama holds me, gives me tummy strokes, chin and cheek scritches, and she talks to me and tells me how much she loves me. i smile at her and close my eyes in lots of kitty kisses. sometimes i even let her kiss my belly. sometimes. (mol)

mama says i'm a grown up baby...and here's a picture to prove it!

a sad anniversary

2008-06-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

oh how we miss our girl...

suzanne christine
5/15/91 - 6/11/07

easy sunday

2008-05-18T13:54:00.000-07:00

i think we've been forgiven for the pee on the carpet incident. mom scrubbed hard and then bought a new air freshener.

we're all dozing today...and figure you are too. hope you enjoy yourselves!

one day soon, mom will hook her camera up to her new computer, and then we'll post more pictures.

BLT
(ben lucy toni)

a little accident

2008-05-16T00:27:00.000-07:00

mom's scolded us both tonight. she cleaned out our box and noticed something wet on the floor near the box. and then she noticed another wet spot on the other side of the box.

she's been grumbling about clean up and icky smells. she looks at both of us and says that she has pride that our house doesn't often smell like used kitty box...but not tonight.

tell me, do you think it's necessary for one of us to admit to having done it? or is enough that it never happens again?

happy mother's day to every cat mom!

2008-05-11T07:48:00.000-07:00

happy mother's day! we hope your children take extra good care of you today with lots of snuggles, cuddles, and purrs. you deserve it! (and maybe even breakfast in bed)

*****

we've been quiet here mostly because mom's been busy. she's not been listening when we tell her we want to go on-line to visit our friends.

she's also not been listening when we ask her to take and post pictures of us from important birthdays...like lucy's first birthday! she's been one since may 2.

when she knocked her old basket on the floor, mom moved her new basket to the shelf.

she's officially now sleeping in her big girl basket all the time...and seems to like the extra room to spread out.

lucy in her new basket

2008-03-30T13:19:00.001-07:00

she sat in her new basket for about 2 minutes today!

a new basket

2008-03-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

remember the christmas basket that lucy has appropriated for her bed? she's chewed completely through the handle! (she's also grown a bit too big for it)

mom thought she'd be nice and get lucy a snuggly new bed. she got it ready and lucy ignores it completely!

our easter message

2008-03-22T13:39:00.000-07:00

coming to the weekend

2008-03-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

poppy q has honored us as her Friday Friends! it's a pretty big deal...go see!

even though it's officially spring, it's been frightfully cold. we like it when mom turns on the fireplace. it gets cozy and we get toasty!

note
we keep getting spammed in our 'you've been fuzzed and furred' section, so we're thinking about adding word verification. or maybe we'll just keep deleting the icky stuff. what do you think?

what are you eating?

2008-03-19T00:13:00.000-07:00

after the horrid food problems last year, what are you eating these days?

we're splitting a can of fancy feast for breakfast and for dinner. we get the good stuff...the souffles!

our crunchies bowl is filled with iams.

mom changes our filtered water every day (she says if she won't drink the tap water, then we don't have to either).

and of course temptations.

the luck o' the irish

2008-03-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

tis st. patty's day. are ye wearing the green?

as we're not big into wearing anything, we've got pictures of us lounging on the green. no pinchies please!

what's a kitty to do?

2008-03-10T07:24:00.000-07:00

she's cleaning. she's organizing.

why? why does she forsake our comfortable bed where she can have as many kitty snuggles as wants? where there are deep and soothing purrs that last for days? why?

wait...why is our favorite wand toy in the trash? why does it smell horrid in here? you vacuumed over it? smoke came out of the sucky monster? the toy is all mangled up? open a window, would you...that smell is gross. and get off the computer. no you, don't need to order new belts for the monster. i like when you can't use it!

whispering: i've got to run...she's eying my floofiness as a duster!

screeching: no mom! not the lemon pledge!!!

bad mommy

2008-03-06T19:59:00.000-08:00

mom hasn't been available to help us blog much lately. she's been going to the gym almost every day. she says that she can swim .62 miles (a kilometer?) without stopping.

i feel tired just thinking about it.

resolution of the temptation battle

2008-03-01T21:55:00.000-08:00

we've come to a resolution of the battle over temptations. i get mine on the bed with mom. lucy chases hers down as mom throws them for her.

i suppose lucy can stay.

dreams meme

2008-02-21T21:45:00.000-08:00

Donny tagged me for the Dreams Meme. Following the rules, here's what we do:
1. Post who tagged you and link back to them and then to PetPics.
2. Then answer this question: What three things would you do that you have never done before, if you knew you wouldn't get caught, get in trouble or suffer any consequences?
3. Then tag 3 other kitties, beans, woofies, or any other assorted animal.

I would:

1. Stay out extra late with my Valentine girl Jelly Bean.

2. Go nose to nose with a polar bear to figure out why mom likes them so much.

3. Practice pirate speak so I'll be ready for Talk Like a Pirate Day in September.

I'm going to tag Obi at Forty Paws, and Sara at The Daily Scratch.

temptation thursday

2008-02-21T04:49:00.000-08:00

mom and i have been talking about how to be sure i get my share of the temptations.

for lucy, night time temptations are a sport. mom tosses one, lucy tries to catch it in her paws. lately, mom has been going for distance so lucy races out of the room. while lucy is gone, mom gives me a couple of temptations. sometimes, she'll give me a little handful at a time.

the thing is, if lucy sees mom doing this, she'll race away from her game to see if she can get my little stash. mom's getting a bit wiley though--like the coyote, which makes lucy the road runner--so we're getting better at making sure my temptations are mine.

who knew that having a baby sister would be such a trial! whew!

grumbly fuzz

2008-02-18T23:11:00.001-08:00

i would miss the little rascal. she is awfully cute, funny, and sometimes can entice me to play with her.

still, she does eat my temptations. almost every time. i think i'm prepared to enter into negotiations around the issue though. i think mom would miss her too much.

grumble grumble grumble

lucy writes

2008-02-17T11:17:00.000-08:00

ben's threatening me. he's been telling mom that she should send me to live somewhere else...like maybe with our cousins, daisy mae maus and the feline americans.

i'm not a bad girl. not really. i don't take his toys. if i get to his temptations first, i eat them, but that's fair, right? i only put the bitey on him once in a while. when we're both hopped up on 'nip, i confess that i do bunny kick him. but my claws are short, and i don't really hurt him!

i purr real loud, like to launch myself into mom's arms for snuggles, play with all my toys. yes, sometimes i claw the couch. but i stop when mom says 'no'.

do you have any suggestions for how i can get ben to agree to let me stay?

lucy the very cute and sweet.

delicious

2008-02-15T07:55:00.000-08:00

wow! my valentine and i had a great time yesterday! we had so many tasty things to eat and fun things to do.

today, i am tired. i will ask mom to sing her friday song quietly so as not to disturb me.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T06:14:00.000-08:00

to my lovely JB, these roses are for you!
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enjoy the fragrance, my sweet!

later, join me for a candlelit meal here:

i chose our champagne and niptini glasses to accommodate your graceful sweep of whisker...

our meal begins with salmon...prepared just the way you like it. cheese and veg is for presentation, although i've heard the flavor of the brie will astonish you.

after our meal, we can stroll through the nearby field of catnip...who knows what frolic will ensue?!

MOM got an award!

2008-02-12T16:27:00.000-08:00

Karl gave mom an award! Karl's fiance Ruis made it. It's called the Golden Paw. Ruis used his own golden paw to make the award.

Mom says thanks.

(Mom: "Um, Ben, can I say my own thank you?" "Oh all right. Don't be a computer hog though. I want to go visit JB.")

Mom writes: Thank you so much Karl! This award means a lot to me. I will treasure it!

I'd like to give the award to Parker and her Mommy, and to Prinnie and her mommie.

There are lots of kitties and moms and dads who should get this award, so let's spread it around, ok?

PS: Karl, Ruis's superior talent is clearly evident in his fine creative work. You've got an excellent match!

for my girl...

2008-02-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Thank you for being my valentine, JB!

(JB, sorry the kitties don't look like us...but they are pretty cute!)

ah the weekend

2008-02-09T19:49:00.000-08:00

yes, friends, it's saturday. a day that is precious in our household. i spent a lot of today thinking about my beautiful valentine, jelly bean (aka 'jb'). have you been to her blog and seen our pictures? her mom glitterfied us!

i've promised her a special surprise for tomorrow. be sure to stop by to see what it is!

fuzzing mightily,

ben

tummy tuesday!

2008-02-05T00:01:00.000-08:00

lucy was uncooperative tonight. she normally rolls around on the floor and shows off her soft white tummy and her tiny incision. tonight? nope. not having it.

A touch of tummy floof.Yes, I'm beautiful. No, you may not see my tummy.
You may not see my tummy. You may see my bottom.

A tiny bit of tummy.
Shaved tummy and mom's nose.

fuzzy tummies

2008-02-04T08:37:00.000-08:00

lucy's healing well. she cleaned the betadine off her tummy and her fur is pristine white again. she's not too keen about jumping, which seems smart. she asks for and gets lots and lots of cuddles.

my tummy fur mats easily. mom's been brushing me almost everyday, and it it still matted by bed time the next day. i think that's because i'm an extra-fuzzy gentleman. i've made it almost a year since my last lion cut. it doesn't look like i'm going to need one again. got to say that sheared look is a little humiliating.

(mom, get your camera connection fixed! we want to show pictures of fuzzy tummies!)

update: mom's camera connection is fixed--thanks cousin sam!--and now she can take and post pictures again!

wow! another award!

2008-02-02T06:03:00.000-08:00

karen jo gave us this great award! thank you karen jo...we think you are the epitome of excellent.

we're going to tag our sisters: miss peach, marie, marilyn, our special friends in bellingham sinda, neelix and mom tina, and lucy's flame cha-ching.

friday friday friday is our favorite day!

2008-02-01T17:32:00.000-08:00

wanna know why? cuz tomorrow we get to sleep in!

lucy's eating today and getting around a bit more. she cleaned her tummy fur (what's left of it) snowy white.

there are more threats of snow for the weekend. we'll stand up to that weather bully...threaten us! sheeesh.

happy weekend everybody!

snuggled with mama at work

2008-01-31T11:20:00.000-08:00

lucy writes: mama picked me up from the v-e-t about 45 minutes ago. she brought me to her office, set up water, food, litter, toys, treats, and a warm place to rest. i'm snuggled in her arms with my purr at about 45%.

my ladygarden incision is really small...but the v-e-t shaved most of my tummy! why did he do that? do you think cha-ching will still want me to be his valentine with a bald tummy? i hope so!

mama has people coming in all afternoon for supervision. they all like kitties, so i'll get lots of attention and cuddles.

love, lucy

mama toni writes: thank you for all the good wishes for healing fast! lucy's doing great. she has the v-e-t smell, but that will dissipate soon enough.

a BIG and IMPORTANT day

2008-01-30T06:59:00.000-08:00

The first thing that makes today BIG and IMPORTANT is that Adan gave me the 'So Special' Award. I am honored to receive this award! See how pretty the flowers are...

I want to share it with Daisy Mae Maus, Muffin (and mommy Tracy), and Faz.

The second thing that makes today BIG and IMPORTANT is that Lucy is getting her ladygardenectomy today.

I can tell she's a little nervous--not for the surgery because that will be easy--but because she's hungry, and Mom won't give her anything to eat.

Lucy's been asking me 'Does Mama still love me?' I tell her that of course mom loves her. I also hear Mom telling her 'Lucy, it's because I love you so much that I want you to have your ladygardenectomy. You'll be healthier and happier and live a longer life.' It doesn't stop Lucy from searching the kitchen for snacks and water!

Mom here: Lucy's appointment is at 9:00 am. I'll take her in on my way to work, and then pick her up later today. You can be sure that she'll get the best of care and be in the pink again in no time!

She woke me at 3:30 am to tell me that she was hungry. I explained why she couldn't eat, and we both went back to sleep. At 6:00 am, she was still hungry, and started nibbling on me. Since then, she's spent time snuggled in my arms, and racing around the house scratching on her scratch posts, and trying to find something yummy.

I'll post again tonight when she's home.

Update from Lucy's Mom: lucy's spending the night at the v-e-t. I'll pick her up tomorrow and she will spend part of the day with me at work. Ben is wondering where she is...and sticking to me like velcro!

(a special thanks to dmm's mom!)

weather!

2008-01-27T11:57:00.000-08:00

mom has three sisters and one brother. two of the three sisters and the brother live in washington state. one of the sisters lives in southern california.

there's big weather in all of those places right now. it's snowing hard in kennewick (aunt donna says 'snow day tomorrow?'). there are threats of snow here in western washington (mom says 'what? no snow day tomorrow?). there are storms brewing in so cal.

it's fun to watch the weather from where we live. we've got big windows that look onto a golf course...and the course shows all the weather.

here's the weather map from right around noon today:

so much yawning

2008-01-24T21:40:00.001-08:00

mom's been yawning all afternoon and evening. i've made a little nest for her to snuggle with me...lots of cushions, a soft blankie, the tv remote, the telephone. all she needs to do is stretch out and cover up. then i'll come sit with her, and we'll rest.

she stays for awhile, and then wants to shift me around so that i'm not pressing on her sore spots. i don't want to be shifted. if i wanted to move, i'd move. sheesh, mom! do you think this cozy, snuggly cuddly nappy place is just for you? we're supposed to SHARE it!

(mom says she'd take and post pictures our little nest, but there's a connection problem with the camera. as soon as she gets it fixed, she'll get some posted!)

love and purrs to princess and her mommie

2008-01-21T00:01:00.000-08:00

we're sad to hear of caesar's passing. if you haven't been there to offer support to princess and her mommie, please go now.

ben
lucy

doing just fine

2008-01-20T21:00:00.000-08:00

hi everybody,
we wanted to let you know that we're doing just fine. mom's doing great. her energy is coming back. there has been so much snuggle time!

give us a few more weeks while we figure out our new life with her increased energy...and we'll try to get back to posting and visiting!

happy new year!

2008-01-01T23:33:00.001-08:00

happy new year everyone! we hope you have gotten off to a good start, and that this year will be one of your best ever!

mom's going to take a break from blogging for awhile. she's working on dealing with some health issues--in a very good way--and it's taking time and energy. it's truly a good thing, and she's not sick, so not to worry.

we definitely won't forget our friends here...and we plan to stop by sometimes to say 'hi'. we'll post as we can convince mom to let us use the computer.

with love and wishes for the happiest of new years,
benjamin fuzz and lucy fur (aka lucinda suzanne)
mom toni

merry merry christmas!

2007-12-24T19:15:00.000-08:00

Peace, love, and at least one happy kitty in every home!

oh oh oh

2007-12-20T20:59:00.000-08:00

wait! it's 'ho ho ho'!

secret paws have come! thanks to angus and family in texas! you are awesome secret paws! (i like exclamation points today!!! mol)

lucy-fur and i got so much stuff...lots and lots of goodies. here are pictures. mom took lots and figured she'd show lots.

you funny kid

2007-12-16T11:37:00.000-08:00

my little sister is too funny. you probably knew that already. i knew it too. let me tell you what she's started to do:

she has a star track (courtesy of cousin dmm's mom). it's the kind with the light-up ball. yesterday, she spent about 20 minutes sitting on the cardboard middle trying with both paws to pull out the ball. after those 20 minutes, she started to whap the ball around again.

next time she tries to get the ball out of the track, i'll get mom to take some pictures.

wordy wednesday

2007-12-12T19:18:00.000-08:00

this is where mom spent her day today. not at home with us. it's called 'the house with the heart'.

at the meetings mom attended today, nobody would sit too close because she's still coughing like crazy. still, she put in a full day.

wood chipping

2007-12-11T12:36:00.000-08:00

we're watching the guys on the golf course. they've got a wood chipper out there as they're cleaning up from the last of summer and fall. it's an interesting process...and we're glad for the sound-canceling windows.

tmi*

2007-12-10T21:51:00.000-08:00

the physician's assistant prescribed this for mom today.

(general instructions: you put 8 ounces of room temperature distilled water in the bottle and add an envelope of pre-mixed chemicals. while leaning over the sink with mouth open, place the bottle snuggly against one nostril. squeeze the bottle until approximately half the water has washed out one side of the sinuses. (the used water will come out the other nostril). change nostrils and repeat.)

who would have thought that there might actually be some sinus relief from this method? there are people all over the world--including a good number of doctors and surgeons--who recommend this for their patients. it works especially well if it's not clear if the sinus problem is bacterial or viral.

it is not recommended for kitties, for small beans, for big beans who are so sick that they can't get out of bed.

even though mom says it's not for kitties, it sure looks weird, and i'm not taking any chances. i'm not curious in the slightest. i don't want to take a closer look. in fact, i'm going to do a suzanne and hide under the bed while she uses it.

*too much information

i think it's all mom's fault

2007-12-08T20:22:00.001-08:00

you know the wind storm and flooding here in washington state? i think it's all my mom's fault. she's been hacking up a storm for the past several days. i bet she's why there's a 'state of emergency' here.

what? mom says she didn't start coughing until thursday night...days after the storm. are you sure? but you said you've been coughing up a storm.

oh. she says it's not the same thing.

sigh. i'll never understand beans.

mom here. been doing some research about why codeine cough syrup works on a cough. it's not the syrup, it's the codeine. it's a cough suppressant.

guess what else is a cough suppressant? dark chocolate. it has to be over 50% cacao. a 50g dose does the trick, and it lasts for several hours...enough to get some sleep. it really works! this is mom's favorite:

wordy wednesday

2007-12-05T20:25:00.001-08:00

did you go to miss peach's tea party? it was lovely! a surprise for her mommy's birthday!

she passed out these roses...did you get yours?

mom was home today. she sounded like a frog this morning, and a horse this evening. strange critters to resemble! we watched LOTS of christmas movies. there was plenty of cuddle time, and we all napped together, too.

here are more pictures:

lucy and me. we look pretty good together. you can see that my fur is almost fully grown out. mom brushes me often (i LOVE it...especially with the zoom groom), and says that she's going to help me not need another lion cut. thanks, mom. i love you too.

lucy checking out the tree. yes, the tree looks kind of pathetic. mom, you've got to put a little skirt on that thing to hide the basket, and maybe some decorations? ah, mom says that lucy will play with any ornaments that she puts on...so she's going to wait until christmas eve when there will be lots of other distractions for lucy.

a cute kitten peaking out of a basket. lucy has claimed this basket and mom will likely never get it back. can you see the teeth marks in the handle?

lucy's contemplating the tree. she looks sweet and small in this picture. she's actually pretty solid (loves those temptation), and has some wicked teeth and claws. but she's cute. mol

lucy's cute

2007-12-01T12:54:00.000-08:00

here's the cutest kitty in this house. i know, i know, it's not me. you have to admit, though, she is pretty cute, and the pictures are about as sweet as they come.

happy thanksgiving

2007-11-21T17:58:00.000-08:00

happy thanksgiving, everyone!

this year, we are grateful to all of our friends who have loved and supported us, who have made us laugh, and who have helped us feel connected.

while we're getting ready for christmas, we're getting some extra rest, reading, listening to music, and cuddling. it's all worthwhile.

with no promises, but strong hope, we'll get back to visiting and commenting soon.

new pictures

2007-11-07T18:38:00.001-08:00

mom pulled out the camera and took a picture of what i did to the star chaser. the cardboard insert is meant for clawing. really. so i did.

and then there are new pictures of lucy.

it's Tuesday!

2007-10-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

it could be tummy tuesday, or toes tuesday, or any other version of a 't' tuesday'. mol

mostly, it's just tuesday. the leaves are almost done turning. there are lots that are bright red, golden yellow, and lots of colors in between. those colored leaves--together with the chilly days--bring a smile to mom's face. fall and spring are seasons of change, and mom likes those.

daisymae's mom sent us a package and lucy's been having loads of fun! a new fishing toy, and a new laser toy. how did daisymae's mom know that the batteries in the other one are almost dead? in any case, YAY to daisymae's mom! and a huge thank you, too.

because mom's been on the road so much lately, she's going to work this weekend. she's probably going to abandon us in favor of working at the office instead of working from home. drat! still, the big project (updating the 'how to do the paperwork' manuals) needs to be done, and then it will be off mom's plate until next time it needs to be updated. so i guess that's good. maybe she can finish it on saturday so she can be home on sunday. i can hope, right? mol

that's about it. we visit miss peach every day. i spend several hours a day purring for her. we'll comment on all the other blogs tonight. (we got half way through last week!) mom will take some pictures soon.

more travel for mom

2007-10-23T22:46:00.000-07:00

hi gang...
mom's going to visit auntie donna this weekend. she and uncle jerry are leaving friday after work, and will be home on sunday. mom says that while it would be good to see auntie donna, it's going to be a working weekend because mom and uncle jerry will be cleaning out a storage room.

i really think she should take us with her. i mean, who knows what we'd find in this storage room? mousies? bugs? i can just imagine the smells! silly mom, leaving us at home.

we'll come visiting blogs tomorrow (10/24)...

we got an award!

2007-10-19T04:30:00.000-07:00

our wonderful sister kitty, marie shared this award with us. she gave it to me, lucy, and suzanne the angel kitty. mmmmm. (happy sigh)

hey, feel free to teleport over today. mom's going to be out of town all day, and we'd love the company. lucy's hoping someone knows how to use the laser toy thingy cuz she wants to race up and down the hall.

ooops, mom says you need opposable thumbs for the laser thingy. i bet we can figure something out...we're industrious and creative! and of course, we've got all sorts of other toys and treats!
(ours is red)

enough sleep

2007-10-17T07:35:00.001-07:00

for the first time in over a week, mom woke up easily without saying 'i want to go back to sleep'. i guess 9 hours under the comforter helped. i'm going to encourage mom to get that much sleep again for the next few nights...maybe it'll bring her energy back. i'm a good encourager. we love you!

pictures!

2007-10-11T15:03:00.000-07:00

mom's crud lingers. she says 'oh! i feel better.' she goes to work for a few hours, and then comes home wiped out. it's funny (wryly) that she does that because she tells all the people who work for her to take care of themselves. diet sprite, gluten-free pretzels (gluten-free saltines are spendy, and haven't had time to mess with the recipe), and naps.

ANYWAY, on to the more important things: she took some pictures of us today. lucy--the little imp!--was playing with her reflection in the window. i, on the other hand, posed regally.

tuesday

2007-10-09T20:56:00.000-07:00

hi there...
mom has caught some kind of the crud, and has spent the day in bed. she's going back in just a few minutes. please don't worry, though, it appears to be basic garden variety crud. as soon as she's moving again, we'll post and visit!

the screen shot meme

2007-10-06T11:03:00.000-07:00

this doesn't work on our computer. mom's tried several things to make it work, and it just doesn't.

i bet you won't be surprised to see our wallpaper. it's mom's favorite picture. on the new monitor (22" lcd), she's bigger than she was in real life!

a meme from Tiger Lily

2007-10-06T10:50:00.000-07:00

Tiger Lily tagged me for a new meme! The rules are very simple:

Think of 5 positive things to say about your person or other companion. Not about us, but about the others around you.

Like lots of other cats, I was going to talk about my mom. But I decided to talk about DMM's mom. DMM's mom is really my cousin, but I call her 'auntie', instead. She doesn't mind, and I like it:

Here are some GREAT things about her:
1. She calls me 'dude'. I like that. I don't want mom to call me dude, but I love it when my auntie does.

2. She thinks my extra fluffy gentleman self is just right.

3. She gives excellent scritches.

4. She is the master of the brush. She brushes one side, and then I turn over for her to brush the other side.

5. She brought so very many fun toys when she came to visit! and she showed mom where to get more so that there will always be tons of fun toys for us to play with.

I really love my auntie! Go visit her here and share some love and good vibes!

Wanna play? Help yourself! This one is fun.

(now to see if we can get the screen shot thing...)

there's life!

2007-10-04T05:29:00.000-07:00

here we are again! we had family visits--dmm's mom, grandparents, and uncle (and soon to be aunt)--and some travel. lots of fun and busy-ness.

mom says we were spoiled. i think we still smell ok.

dmm's mom brought us:
a boogie mat
2 tents (anyone for tent wars?)
a couple of fishing toys
a star chaser (the ball LIGHTS UP)
a laser pen
pit'r pats (kitty crack)
and lots of other treats, snuggles, and play time

then mom got spoiled (she smells a little ripe...mol. hmmm? what, mom? that's kind of insulting? i thought it was funny...)
a new ceiling fan in her bedroom (dmm's mom is really talented!)
cooler bags for grocery shopping, lots of meals out, etc., etc.

i'm reminding mom (pestering?) that we need to get back to posting and visiting our friends. we miss you. and sleep deprivation is good for her...as long as we get to be here on the blogosphere. (what? you don't need another nap mom. she's poor and fragile...humans!)

mom's laughing

2007-09-22T09:40:00.001-07:00

and wishing she had the camera ready this morning.

since she didn't, you'll need to imagine this:

we have an old kitty tree. it has a 24" base, a 14" platform on one side about a foot from the floor, and a 12" platform on the top, which is about 16" above the side platform.

i was on the top platform. in my extra-fluffy form, i filled the platform to overflowing. mom said i looked very handsome.

lucy started to poke at me from the lower platform. i tried to pull myself up more firmly so that she couldn't reach me. one well-placed nip to my extra-fluffy behind, and i sailed off the top platform with her in hot chase.

from there we segued into a game of thundering herd.

the pictures would have been great!

Lucy's response to the meme

2007-09-20T20:57:00.001-07:00

Prinnie and Caesar tagged me for the 7 random things meme. I LOVE memes. They're all about me! ;-)

Here are the rules:

1. Link to your tagger and post these rules
2. Write some facts about yourself: some random, some weird, some just plain fun.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them)
4. Let those 7 people know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs.
The challenge is to keep it interesting without making the reader think “Um, too much information…”

@>-- I like to sit right next to Mom while she scoops the litter box. Sometimes I climb in to point out things she might not have gotten.

@>-- Sometimes I climb up the back of Mom's chair. I step onto her shoulder, and then launch myself into her arms. It's not complete stealth because I'm purring loudly.

@>-- Anytime Mom goes into the bedroom, I follow her. I get onto the nightstand and rub my jaw on the bags of Temptations (and other treats). She thinks that I haven't learned that I only get them at bed time. I think she hasn't learned I want them all the time.

@>-- Sometimes I stand near the front door and consider making a run for it when Mom comes in. We have a secure building, so I can't get outside. Still, Mom doesn't want me to get into the habit of going out the front door.

@>-- My very first day here, I discovered a furry little toy that I carried around in my mouth. I check on it so much that the stuffing came out. It's now in a couple of pieces. I play with both of them.

@>-- If there's a straw in Mom's drink, I take it. I know it must be mine.

@>-- I like mirrors, and I really want to know who (and where) that other cute kitty is!

if you haven't yet been tagged, consider yourself so, and get busy!

Karl's meme

2007-09-19T19:40:00.000-07:00

Seems like a long time since i've posted. it's been a busy week...getting ready for company. i've been tagged for a couple of memes, and lucy's been tagged for one. we'll get to them as soon as we can! don't worry about not hearing from us...we love you!

"The guidelines for this tag:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules
2. Write some facts about yourself: some random, some weird, some just plain fun.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post and list their names (linking to them)
4. Let those 7 people know they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment at their blogs. The challenge is to keep it interesting without making the reader think “Um, too much information…"

Karl from The Cat Realm tagged me for this meme. Here we go...

^..^ I like tummy kisses.

^..^ I do not hesitate to wake Mom up if there is no food in my bowl. I jump on her chest (remember that I'm an extra-fluffy gentleman) and that wakes her up fast.

^..^ I think that really old tv theme song "the bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle" has a typo. It should be 'the bluest eyes you've ever seen are in Seattle'. Mine, of course! (the show was 'Here Come the Brides'

^..^ Now that I have a baby sister, I don't always cover my poop. It's fragrant...and designed to let her know who's boss. Sad to say, she doesn't believe me.

^..^ I like to sprawl on the desk while Mom's on the computer. She has to move the keyboard completely out of the way when I do that because I take up the whole thing!

Extra-fluffy gentlemen of the world unite!

since i've not been around much, i'd like to make an open tag to anyone who would like to play.

mancat monday

2007-09-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

here i am, doing a very mancatly thing: snuggling with my baby sister.

easy like sunday morning

2007-09-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

ahhh, the pleasure of a good nap! today is the day for snoozing. mom's up and running with an appointment to go sell the piano. the music went yesterday.

i am so glad i have no opposable thumbs or muscles strong enough to move furniture. i can give in to my sybaritic nature and roll around on the bed.

mom's doing weird stuff

2007-09-13T23:46:00.000-07:00

after carting it around for over 10 years without using it much, mom is selling her piano music. she's got lots of it because she taught piano lessons way back before i was a twinkle in anyone's eye. when she was teaching, she had 30-35 students per week, and they ranged in age from 5 through about 60. it was great fun, and a good way to put herself through graduate school.

there's another part though...of course. many years ago (even before the way back!), mom hurt her wrist. she can't play much...maybe 10 minutes at a time. it's not going to get better than it is right now (5 surgeries and 11 years later)...until there's an opportunity for a wrist joint replacement.

so it's time to let go. the piano's going too. it's ok.

mom's philosophy about sorting and choosing things to let go: if it is replaceable, it can be let go. if it is unique, you can choose to keep it. not much of this is unique.

maybe mom will get enough to join the gym so that she can keep swimming! that seems like a worthwhile reason to sell stuff.

the weather

2007-09-12T03:27:00.000-07:00

over the weekend, we were tantalized with fall weather. we believed. yesterday, summer lifted its head from a slumberous pillow. it was hot.

by some state edict, the pool closed on labor day. we're left without respite. dangnabbit! (ok, so it's mom who wants the pool, not me, but i can see her point)

btw, thanks for all the happy birthday wishes! she's been officially launched into her 44th year.

happy birthday to my mom

2007-09-11T07:10:00.000-07:00

today, we extend remembering condolences to those who lost family members six years ago during the terrorist tragedy. oh, how our lives have changed!

more important (for me--not the rest of the world--since she opens the cans of stinky goodness, gives tummy tubs, ear scritches, and generally good love), happy birthday to my mom!

sleepy sunday - with no new pics

2007-09-09T02:01:00.001-07:00

mom says sorry about no new pictures. still, we're deep into the sleepy sunday! i got an extended session with the zoom groom. lucy had her first snack on a skeeter eater that mom let in by accident.

while today isn't her birthday (it's tuesday), friends are coming to take her to dinner. because of celiac disease, mom's baking her own birthday cake. there are--surprisingly--at least two choices!

mmmmmmmmsssssssszzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZ

Benjamin Fuzz's Aliases

Your movie star name: Temptation Harry

Your fashion designer name is Benjamin Oslo

Your socialite name is Benvolio Diego

Your fly girl / guy name is B Fuz

Your detective name is Polar Bear Weatherwax

Your barfly name is Temptation Niprito

Your soap opera name is Mino Wishkah

Your rock star name is Peanutbutter Cup Fingers

Your Star Wars name is Bensuz Fuzale

Your punk rock band name is The Tired Egg Separator

Lucinda Suzanne 's Aliases

Your movie star name: Temptation Edward

Your fashion designer name is Lucinda Dresden

Your socialite name is Lucy Furr Pullman

Your fly girl / guy name is L Mar

Your detective name is Squid Aberdeen

Your barfly name is Temptation Niptini

Your soap opera name is Suzanne Wishkah

Your rock star name is Skeeter Kitty

Your Star Wars name is Lucben cha

Your punk rock band name is The Zippy Floss Threader

The Amazing Meganame Generator

TWO awards!

2007-09-05T22:48:00.000-07:00

Caesar and Princess gave me the Blogging Star award.

Marilyn Monreow, my sister, gave me the Nice Matters award.

I will definitely write more about these in the next day or so. I'll do the posts and nominate some other kitties. Tonight, though, we're tired and heading to bed.

Thanks to Caesar and Prinnie, and to Marilyn, for thinking of me.

(Lucy: of me, too!)

something for me

2007-09-04T22:23:00.001-07:00

guess what mom got for me today? c'mon, guess!

my very own email address! i'm so excited.

here's my address:

benjaminfuzzATgmailDOTcom

write to me!

the last...

2007-09-03T06:49:00.000-07:00

"It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pay tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker." US Dept of Labor

While Wikipedia has much to say about the American holiday, as well as international observances to recognize workers, many Americans see the first Monday in September as summer's last hurrah.

In some parts of the country, school starts in August or earlier. In Western Washington state, however, school typically starts the Tuesday or Wednesday following Labor Day.

This first 'last' Monday is spent on one last swim, the last big barbecue, last-minute buying school supplies, packing lunches, setting out 'first day of school' clothes, and trying to get to bed early enough to catch the bus in the morning.

Mom's going swimming.

as you drift to sleep...

2007-08-29T23:46:00.000-07:00

many of us have experienced great pain and sadness this week with the passing of family and friends.

please remember that we can and do support one another. we let sorrow guide our steps as we continue to dance to the rhythm of life.

this is a celtic symbol for the rhythm of life

more sad news

2007-08-28T21:31:00.000-07:00

While I'm sure there's a joyous reunion at the bridge today, there are sad tears here as we say good bye to Oscar. He crossed the bridge this morning.

Please go to his blog to support his family. (Mom Kim is out of town and hasn't posted anything yet, but I know she and the rest of Oscar's family will appreciate your kind words.)

Oscar adopted Suzanne shortly before she crossed the bridge. The family quickly grew to include Miss Peach, Marilyn Monroe, me, Uncle Omer (a brother to dad Oscar), Pounce (dad's new wife), and Lucy.

We will miss our sweet, kind, loving, generous Oscar. Daddy.

Scattergories meme

2007-08-28T00:49:00.000-07:00

I'm going to pick this one up because it looks fun...
Rules:
Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the questions. Your answers must be real: places, names, things, nothing made up! You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question. If your name happens to start with the same letter as mine, sorry, but you can't use my answers!

My name: Benjamin

1. Famous Singer: Bruce Springsteen

2. Four letter word: Brat

3. Street: Boulevard

4. Color: blue

5. Gifts/Presents: Books

6. Vehicle: Benz (mercedes, that is!)

7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Bandanas

8. Boy Name: Brandon

9. Girl Name: Beth

10. Movie Title: Bell, Book and Candle

11. Drink: Bubble tea

12. Occupation: Bamboo gardener

13. Celebrity: Bela Lugosi

14. Magazine: Better Homes & Gardens

15. U.S. City: Burien, WA (just south of our home)

16. Pro Sports: Bruins (Boston, Hockey)

17. Fruit: Blackberries

18. Reason for Being Late for Work: Bed fur (like bed-head...you get the picture!)

19. Something You Throw Away: Bread (if it has gluten in it)

20. Things You Shout: Be careful!

21. Cartoon Character: Bugs Bunny

day one

2007-08-27T19:07:00.000-07:00

ahhh, mom's on vacation. life's good. fettuccine alfredo (thai rice noodles are great!), fresh cantaloupe, a swim, and then a long nap on the couch.

she did one hard thing today...although even in being hard, it's a good thing. mom sold her ring. it was time.

the vacation will continue for the rest of the week! yippee!

2007-08-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

Anastasia, Karl, and their staff need our help today!

(thanks, Skeezix, for the artwork)

photo hunter - happy

2007-08-25T12:27:00.001-07:00

this is uncle jerry. he's mom's brother...the ABSOLUTE BEST BROTHER anyone could ever want!