Cats-in-windows

Just checking in to say "Hi" and show you my cat-in-window photos today. This fluffy, kitty-client was happy to oblige when I asked if he would model for me in the window this morning. He wants to keep his face out of the spotlight for now but you will see lots of him later. I.love.this.cat.

This little Cali look-alike is another new client. She is such a beauty and loves to watch the birds from her window. A darling cat.
I miss dropping by to visit everyone but will have more time after Christmas day. I am having a great time boppin' around from house to house but tomorrow's weather sounds dreadful so I am not looking forward to driving. Most of my clients are right in town though so I'll make it, come hell or high snow-bank.

hugs, Deb

tweaking the dining-room & answering the dinner call

Skip the coffee and go straight to lunch.
I met a friend and client for a quick lunch at my favorite pub, St. James Gate. Best fish in town. It felt so good to just sit and chill for awhile. I always love catching up with Sue from http://readymadecosmos.blogspot.ca/. Then off to visit my twice-a-day cats for their dinner-call.

The dining room in the evening.

 I added a few little lights to the cupboard and today I found this little nativity scene at our local nursery.

I really had to have it and it looked like it would fit in with my group of ornaments here.

It feels good to have everything finished for Christmas all but to bake some pies and prepare the dinner.
Because of my heavy workload (work?..really?) this holiday season, we decided to prepare the turkey and dressing the day before Christmas. The retired-guy came up with this idea so I can blame him if it sucks.
To be honest, we have family members that prepare the bird the day before because they eat the meal at noon and their dinners are exceptional. The cooked turkey and dressing are kept refrigerated overnight and then sliced and heated in a large roaster when the trimmings are ready. It works for them now will it work for us?  I'll let you know. I have a stuffed squash for those who don't eat turkey. That might be everyone. ;-b

Tomorrow is another 'grab a coffee and hit the trail' day and I hear there's a snow-storm coming. :(
I know two cats who won't be leaving the wood-stove all day.

                                                                       hugs, Deb

Covered in cat-hair and zippin' along

My blogging friend, Snap from http://twistylane.blogspot.ca/ thought of Audrey when she saw this so I'm sharing it. I doubt AA will care...she's shameless.
This morning after jumping on the bed, bounding from window sill to duvet, she finally gave up trying to get me up way too early and decided to sharpen her nails on my bottom dresser drawer. How does she know what will have me bolt up and jump from a warm bed only to have her high-tail it out the bedroom door and head for the food jars?
I'm hiding the pens as I am sure 'the explainin' will be a bunch of hog-wash. And I know she'll be rude to Santa.

Everything was covered in ice as the big, white, fluffy snowflakes fell all day. The driving was treacherous. It has either been freezing rain falling or snow for 2 days. Oh well, all my kitty-clients are comfy and snug in their homes and were happy to see the stressed-out cat-sitter arrive, even if I was late.

Audrey has enjoyed watching the snow-fall and spends much of her time in the front window.

 It's really quite beautiful... IF YOU ARE OFF THE ROAD!!...sorry.  The snowflakes were as big as your fist.

It's so peaceful around here when she is distracted for hours.

Do you see my orchid in front of the lamp? The one and only bloom still has not completely opened yet. It's been 5 months. It just sits there teasing me.

The cats are sitting on the back of the couch waiting for the sun. This was taken awhile back and since they have good memories they are hopeful again today.

Lily, Mr. Ed & Sierra 

Well, things are speeding up to past-Go and I am on the road most of the day getting from house to house. Oh my goodness, wait ' til you see some of these beauties. You will recognize many but I have some gorgeous guys to show you. G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S. And they all love me....Woo Hoo! Not one is hiding under the bed. :)                                   

I am covered in cat-hair these days but have my well-worn clothes brush tucked inside the cat-bag. I just might run into a friend, you know, and have to go for a Christmas coffee. 

 Happy Day!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

hugs, Deb

Squeezing in some reading between pampering cats

The wood-stove is working it's magic and the cats are absorbing the heat. How much lazier can these cats get? They rise in the morning, eat, wash up and head for the stove. Then there is not much movement, although they do play musical boxes, until the next meal. They should be rotund cats but they aren't. Most are old and thin. Senior cats will eventually get thinner in the back and need more fuel to hold their weight. That's the case here. Now Annie & Audrey are young so they need to eat a little less than the others. I have to keep an eye on that much to Annie's dismay.

This is the book I was searching for last week. It was written in the 50's and still a favorite amongst health gurus. I've always had an interest in natural remedies and when you hit 60 (groan) I don't think you have much choice but to become more health-conscious.

The owner of our local used book shop found one copy amongst the thousands of books that line the walls in his two-story building. When I arrived to pick it up he was away from the store and his assistant found the book under the desk with my name on it. $3.00 was written on the note. "Great...did not think it would be that inexpensive." He smiled, I left and immediately ran into the owner coming in the store with a sandwich in his hand from our local bakery.
"Thanks for finding the book for me. $3.00? Are you sure that's enough? He just smiled and said
  "Merry Christmas."

I was able to finish up cat-sitting before the freezing rain arrived today. Well, all but one new client to meet. Oh, it was so worth the drive. This latest cat looks just like the book cover.  That will be the last now. I am full for Christmas and as it is will need my trusty and willing assistant on Christmas day.

 Otherwise, it will all be a piece of cake. No, not Christmas cake....don't like that too much.

I'm taking tomorrow to have a quiet day and honor the families that have been struck down by the tragedy in Connecticut.
Hugs, Deb

Respecting the old

I spent most of the day visiting cats in my care and getting to know the new ones. I love this part of cat-sitting. Each and every cat is so unique not only in their looks but in their personality.  Some are so welcoming right from the get-go and some a little shy and distant. When there are two cats in a home and one is a bit scared I always hope that the more friendly one will take the lead and help the other become more trusting. I have two in my care this week where this is the reality. It will be interesting to see how things improve as we get to know each other.

The calls are still coming in for cat-care over Christmas. I know I could use an assistant right about now so I think the retired-guy will be my co-pilot on Christmas morning. I know he is a master at kitty-care so I'll be making use of his talent. hee! haw!
I want all kitties to have a good breakfast, a clean litter-box, a new toy and a kiss on the head before I head home to get ready for our Christmas celebration. His help will be a gift for me. :)

Ed was following the sun today and even with his bum leg he managed to make it to the top of the table.

This is a rare thing with him. He was so brave to get up there that I didn't have the heart to tell him to get down.

Now, let's go see what nosy knows...she never misses a thing.

"HEY.... 

Mr.Ed, you are all lit up like a Christmas tree today."

"Just soakin' up the winter sun, youngun'. It's good for the bones. It warms everything from the toes to the nose."

                                                             "Yes, it does, Mr. Ed."
                                                                          
Ed is 25 years old and Audrey is 1. They are the best of friends. Whenever Audrey passes by him she rubs her head on his. I know he loves it. When Ed is eating, Audrey never interfers. I think Audrey knows he is old and feeble. She is very kind to him and gentle.

hugs, Deb

We carry on...

Only an hour after I posted yesterday I heard the news about the tragedy in Connecticut. I have to say as a parent and grand-parent, I could barely breath.  My heart is broken for the families who have lost loved ones. How do you cope with such a thing? I don't know. Its just too much. The children..oh my goodness.

There is so much heaviness on my mind these days. This latest tragedy will stay with us a long time. And more personally, losing Cali recently and now hearing of Toady's passing may not seem too serious to some but when you love your cat and lose her and feel that same loss for another, it leaves you tired and withdrawn. I'd like to thank all those who left such nice comments about Toady. Some of you knew him through my cat-sitting posts. He was adopted from our local shelter at the age of 7; a throw-away.  We know though, that his last 5 years were filled with love. That's what we have to remember.

Christmas is fast-approaching and we must carry on for the little ones.

It is such a magical time and we want our families to always have good memories of the holidays. It's something to hold on to in the future when you need stability and a sense of roots. It's important. We will carry on but be enveloped in a sadness for the families who lost children and loved-ones so tragically.

Today is the start of a busy two weeks with cat-sitting. I mean busy. My gifts are bought and wrapped and the house is decorated so I can now concentrate on business. I have new cats to meet today and many regulars to visit.

I feel some excitement to be now at this time of year for my work but at the same time I feel like I have weights on my feet. Like everyone, I will carry on but with a sad heart.

Sometime after Christmas I will do a post and introduce you to all my charges over the holidays.

The retired-guy picked out a little stocking for our new grand-son to hang at the woodstove.

 I thought it would be all one colour and then I would add some bobbles and glitter but he loves lots of colour so it seems to have a lot going on already. I just added his name with red felt. "Hope you like it, Bradley."

We come together in prayer today. I wish you all a quiet, peaceful day.
hugs, Deb