The Nightmare During Christmas

I could hardly believe it friends, just when I was recovering from the nightmare from before came the nightmare during. Christmas morning I heard the doorbell ring and I knew company had arrived as I'd been prepped for days before.

Dad's parents were coming as they do most years, and I was excited to see them. I remembered how much fun they all had admiring me last Christmas as I played Hot Wheels with Dad.

I heard everyone come inside and I waited the appropriate amount of time in the bedroom, to develop the right buzz over "Would Fin make an appearance," gotta keep em guessing. When I felt the timing was right, I strolled out in plain view and guess what happened?

Nothing! No one even noticed, except Mom.

I assumed they were distracted with breakfast prep, so I went back to the bedroom to make my entrance again. When they were all seated for breakfast I anxiously sat in the hall, waiting to be noticed. Ready to leap into action, and...

Nothing! Mom said "Oh look there's Finny!" and not a single person looked!

I decided to bring out the big guns. Surely no one can resist the kitty under the tree pose. Dad saw the effort and called out "Oh look Finny is under the tree!"

Nothing Again! At this point I was getting peeved and I did what any self-respecting grannycat would do. I whapped at the Christmas tree branches like there was no tomorrow!

Still Nothing! So I did the only thing left in my arsenal.

I used the litter box. Although it was noticed, no one took time to admire me or my efforts. I spent the rest of the visit on the big bed. Who needs this kind of irritation?

The Nightmare Before Christmas

I didn't want to ruin anyone's holiday by telling this scary story before now. I advise any kittens to move on too... nothing to read here.

It was the day before Christmas, and I was just minding my own business taking a nap under the Christmas tree when I heard the scariest sound in the world, scarier even than thunder, the door of the lair of The Evil Dyson opening. I could hear Dad wrestle it's tail as it tried to attach itself to the wall.

It sounded like an epic battle, but The Evil Dyson won out and I heard it's evil roar in the hall. I realized I was trapped! My exit route through the office shut out, and The Evil Dyson and Dad were wrestling down the hall. I made a break for the kitchen, as it sometimes seems to fear tile floors.

The Evil Dyson rounded the corner into the den as it hungrily ate up the floor between us. Dad wrestled it by the neck and by the tail but it still came for me. I raced from the kitchen, over Mom's chair, down the back of the sofa, over the half wall, down the hall, over Mom's foot as I screamed "RUN MOM!!", and finally into the safety of the closet.

Here is the freakiest part, I swear I heard it laughing as I ran, and it sounded like my parents. I hope you can sleep tonight friends, I know I still have nightmares.

Mom on Monday

I have a funny Fin post planned, but I think I'm too brain dead to manage it tonight.

Here we are in what I like to call Middle Holiday. You are pretty much out of holiday gas but you still have New Year's Eve on the horizon, and you have to push it on through. Woman Up, just when you want to nap till 2011.

You're caught between wanting it all to be over, so you can stop eating leftovers (maybe have a nice piece of fruit) and still keeping up the holiday spirit for just a little bit longer (who needs fruit when you have some wrapped in pie dough still in the fridge?).

Should you put away the decorations, or just call it eccentric and leave em up all year long (maybe change out the ornaments seasonally)? The decorations do look nice, and frankly I'm all about a twinkle light. It could work...

I just hope no one is expecting any kind of mental acuity tomorrow.

Floofy Friday

Do you know how good I've been for weeks? Well I decided it was time to change all that. I'm a cat. 

I gotta be me, and Sandy Claws needs to be okay with that. If he isn't, well I have people to buy me treats and toys. I have it on good authority though that he understands our ways, and loves us kitties just the way we are.

He wants to spread good cheer and what is more cheerful than watching a kitty whap an ornament from the tree? Or play smackypaw with the stocking hanging above their bed? Or laying on the table to snoopervise wrapping when you're not supposed to be on the table?

What Mom? I'm laying on what? The freshly washed table cloth! I had no idea. I was just gonna help with the bag here. You know, jump in and check for sturdiness. Maybe do a taste test on the paper.

Boo Ya! 

Take this bunnykicking table cloth! You're no match for me!

Happiest of Holiday Wishes to all of my friends! 

Who needs more treats when I have all of you?

Waiting Wednesday

It's getting close to the big holidays. Christmas will be fun as always. My Grandparents are coming to town as they usually do. I really like the guy who looks like the older version of Dad.

They spend a lot of time admiring me, so who doesn't like that? This year they are bringing some friends too, and I imagine they too will want to admire me. I'm not sure I will allow that. I'll be playing it cool and aloof and taking a wait and see approach..

Of course if they are not "Cat People" I will make every effort to love up on em. I feel it's important to sway them to our side. If they are "Cat People" I'll make em work for it.

Then the next week is Birthday week. Mom and I share the same Birthday on January 1. No one knows my exact birth date but Mom counted back and figured I was born right around then and asked me to share. I agreed of course. As long as we don't have to share presents. I doubt she'd want my mouse anyway, but you never know.

I'm going to turn 14 and Mom is gonna turn... what Mom? Aren't you going to share your age too? No? We'll see.

I make 14 look good don't I? Gray is my color.

Now and

Then... I was about a year old. See my tabby stripes?

Mr Sun

Dear Mr Sun,

I see you've finally taken my advice from this Summer and taken a little break. I haven't seen much of you in a few days now. Luckily my grannycat skills are sharp and, even without your cues, I manage to get Mom out of that bed every morning at 4:30am.

The Cloud Family seems to have totally staked out your turf. I gotta tell you, I'm not a huge fan of them. I think that Cirrus is high, and Nimbus is a total drip. They're even covering over Lady Moon's work, and you know what a Diva she can be. I bet she is hissed off.

I'm happy you're taking some time off (maybe a vacation in Australia?), but try not to stay away too long okay. I really miss the little ones, Puddles and Patches. Maybe you could send them back with your wife Beam?

Your Fan,

Finny De Floof

Floofy Friday

We had a freak spell of warm weather and I got in some Porch Time the beginning of the week! I was on guard as Dad reported a recent sighting of The Chubby Tabby in the yard.

 

 Nope, no chubby tabby here.

Is that tabby I smell? There is only room for one tabby on this porch. 

In case some of you thought I created my own Good Kitty Club badge yesterday. No. I was accepted into the club by my dear friend Inigo before he passed recently. I feel him straightening my halo sometimes.

What does everyone have planned for the weekend? Mom and Dad are attending Mom's work holiday party this weekend. I hope they bring me some scraps. Mom has had a stressful week and is hoping to sit in a chair and stare. Sounds good to me as long as her lap is open. 

It's turned cold again so I like my odds on getting in some quality lap time. Hope you all have a great weekend and stay toasty and warm. 

Chubby Tabby, I have my eyes on you!

Good Kitty

Not a whap... even when my stocking dangles inches above my bed. 

Just waitin for Sandy Claws under here. Not an ornament out of place. 

Yes I've earned my badge this week.

Guerrilla Holiday

Aunt Jenny has an idea she is hoping will spread throughout the blogosphere... Take it away Aunt Jenny

"Here is my big idea. Have you ever heard of Guerrilla Artist's? 

Basically, they are artists that make art and install, preform, or attach it to public spaces, with the intention of affecting the world in a creative and thought provoking way (to paraphrase Keri Smith). These installations are often anonymous, and very unique. Do a web search for "guerrilla art" and you will see many wonderful examples. 

My idea is to remove some of the hype from the holiday and remind people of the simple joy of kindness. 

I think we all get so wrapped up in the stress of the season, we sometimes forget about small ways we can feel, and spread joy.  I'm talking about some random acts of giving. Tiny stuff, sweet stuff, unexpected stuff. 

Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing. Decorate a public and unexpected object. Put a handmade greeting card on a strangers windshield. If you're a crafter, make something small, and stick it in a neighbors mailbox. Go for a walk and stick a single shiny ornament on every tree that you pass. Tie a pretty tag, with a few kind words, on somebodies trash can (won't that just freak them out!). One of my readers tucked handmade beaded bookmarks in library books. There are a million possibilities. Make a sticker or a sign. 

Do you have something to say about the holiday season? Well, this is your chance! Won't you join me? I am really excited to see what you do. Send me some pictures, or tell me some stories, and I will try to post as many of them as I can. Spread the word, and take a Guerrilla Holiday Button. Let's see what we can do. I believe this could be something special, don't you?!"

So last year Mom joined in and decorated this little tree at the end of the street with ornaments. She had more fun decorating the tree at dawn. We're sure the neighbors watching her had fun too.

Ornaments - $6.00 from the dollar store

Lint roller to remove glitter from… everything… including hair - $2.00

Self Manicure to fix sap covered nails - $1.00

Embarrassment as neighbors watch the crazy lady in slippers decorate random tree – Unknown

Giggling as I channeled the spirit of my Gramma Boss and my Sister – Priceless
She has plans to do it again this year and also find some other ways to bump it up. Anyone else wanna play?

Floofy Friday

Shameless Plug Alert

This Floofy Friday Post is brought to you by the makers of Housecat Confidential - The Book. Coincidentially it is the same makers of this blog.

You know what would make an awesome stocking stuffer? You guessed it, my book. It's available through Amazon.com and amazon.co.uk in paperback and e-book version. You can special order it in almost any major bookstore in the US (they order it from Books in Print). It's available on almost any e-book site. You can also order a pawtographed version from the sidebar on this very blog.

I can imagine what you're thinking... I read the blog, can the book be that much... more? We think so, and we aren't alone. You'll read never before blogged about items (I can't tell you now or I will have blogged about them therefor ruining my claim heretofore mentioned)) Readers have reported being nicer to their own cats after reading it, and laughing and crying out loud - simultaneously. 

Thank you for your attention and now back to the show

Your reward for staying tuned... this iconic belly shot!

Go ahead, snorgle the screen, I know you want to.

Mom claims she is getting to her busy season at work. Meh. I've seen her "work at home" and she just talks on the phone and types stuff. Yawn. It's like they pay her or something.

What are you up to this weekend? I will be snoopervising more of the holiday decorating around Casa De Housecat. The mantle featured on Wednesday is remarkably undisturbed. Yes, I am a good kitty. The mantle is too narrow for me to get up there, but I have not even whapped the two stockings.

Good news is Mom said BOTH of the Christmas stockings were for me! So I felt it bad form to whap, what with Sandy Claws potentially around every corner. Mom is hoping to post about a fun holiday event next week and we are hoping everyone can join us.

Have a great weekend friends!

Wordless Wednesday

A feather themed Christmas? Thanks Mom!

This is Why

For the first part of my life Mom had great aspirations of being an artist. She tried every medium known in art land. Naturally, I helped. I tasted what I could and left my floof in anything she made. From watercolor to clay, she tried it all. She had great ideas in her head, but they never really translated into substance. Meanwhile Aunt Jenny can turn almost anything into a piece of art.

Mom struggled to find her medium to express herself in art and documented all her ideas and frustrations in journals. Writing came so easily to her that she completely discounted that perhaps words were meant to be her artistic medium.

Yes, she can be dense.

There are times when one can see clearly why Mom should focus on being a writer and not an artist. Last week when Mom's family was in town they went out on some photo safaris in the wilds of Las Vegas. Here is Mom's picture of this ultra-cool rhinestone lion...

Yeah that big line and those mannequin legs aren't distracting.

And Aunt Jenny's...

Guess who took this one?

and guess who took this one?

I love Mom, but there are times when I think to myself... 

Thank Cod I'm stunning, as is. I make her look good.

Aunt Jenny has a lovely Etsy Store called Gilding Lilies you might want to check out for holiday gifts. 

Aunt Jenny's cat, Mr Dutch, is improving greatly with the antibiotics and is getting his naughty back on. He is back to ordering everyone around. I'm sure it's all the healing thoughts my friends have been sending to him. You are all the best!

They're Back!

Fin: Well I'm happy to report my family has returned, after a week of abandonment. I nearly starved friends! I was weak with hunger and thirst when they returned...

Mom: Fin, you had bowls full of food and water, which I see you fully enjoyed in our absence...

Fin: But there was NO GRAVY. I had to eat my kibble DRY. Oh how it stuck in my throat. ::Coughs::

Mom: Oh for Cod's sake, and it was only one day we were gone.

Fin: In cat years, one day is like a whole week... go ahead, do the math.

Mom: Really?

Fin: Yes! You have a lot of snuggling to make up for Mom.

Mom: You're right, come here pretty kitty girl and I'll shower you with pets.

Fin: I'm not sure you're forgiven yet. Maybe around 2am I will be in the mood for some pets. We'll see.

Floofy Friday

 Happy Hanukkah Friends!

So what are you up to this weekend? Mom and Dad will be heading over to California for a day to visit Dad's family. I am not pleased with this turn of events. Who'll be here to cater to my every whim? Who'll feed me? Who'll refresh my water? Wait this is sounding like a very bad idea!

I guess if things get dicey I can try to find the Katnip Lounge. I'm sure I could slip right in for a day and no one would even question me. Yeah that's it. I'll need my parents to make it up to me big time when they get back! 

I've heard rumors that the house might be decked out for Sandy Claws sometime this weekend too. I guess I better start to be less naughty... nah, there's still time. Right? Hope you have an awesome weekend!

Thankful Thursday

Thanks to everyone for your purrs and thoughts for my cousin-cat Mr Dutch. Aunt Jenny wrote to say he is feeling better with the antibiotics. Hopefully he will continue to improve and live to rip up years worth of toilet paper rolls.

I've decided to hide out here in the laundry basket. I like it here. Mom loves it when I dive in like I did last night, one giant bounding leap.  Grannycat still has mad skills.

 

Luckily the pawparrazi can't see me here. 

Wait, what was that?

Oh no, I think they found me. 

I'm just going to ignore them and hope they go away...

At least my floof looks good.

On a Serious Note

Mom and I heard the news that my cousin-cat Mr Dutch is doing poorly and could use some purrs, and his human Aunt Jenny (of the recent petting faux-paw) could use some info if anyone has some to share.

Mr Dutch has been losing some weight recently but all the standard tests had turned up nothing. Until a few days ago he was showing no signs of illness, but now he is not eating much, has an abscess on his side, and seems to be in pain. A trip to the Vet has come back with a preliminary diagnosis of Mast Cell Disease. He has been given an antibiotic to try to clear up the infection but if it is Mast Disease it is a temporary fix and he may need to be helped to the bridge.

Mr Dutch is a handsome boy who is built from naughtiness, so naturally I admire him greatly. If you could send some comforting purrs and healing thoughts his way we would appreciate it. If you have any knowledge of this illness that might help Aunt Jenny please let us know. Thanks so much.

The handsome and lovably naughty Mr Dutch