Kitties in costume

Don't they look delectably cute?! 

P.J. in a bonnet 

Cookie with antlers and bells 

Yep, we really did this last week - and it's not the first time we've dressed our cats up in absurd cat outfits and laughed our butts off. They, on the other hand, don't find it so funny. That's why it lasts all of about 3 minutes. (Fuzzy had wiggled out of his wintry hat before we could nap a picture.) Still, there's just something about a sweet furry thing in a blowfish/crab/reindeer/giraffe/bonnet/neck-tie get-up that gets us every time. I mean, aren't these beasts adorable?! And, besides, the outfits only cost like $4 a piece - money well spent :). 

Cookie Dough

What was once a skinny, greasy, kinda sickly looking shelter kitty 

is now a plump, furry, sweetheart of a housecat. 

This little fatty (as we affectionately call her) went from just 7 lbs. to a whopping 9.3 lbs since the end of June. Let's just say she's not shy about eating. At all. It's only fitting that Brad this morning nicknamed her "Cookie Dough."

The Friday 4: Tip-top Naps

Since I've been snoozing on the Friday 4s, a post on - what else? - snoozing seems like a good re-inauguration effort. And, since I loves me a good nap (just took #1 today) . . . . 

4. the Surrounded-by-kitties Nap 

Best enjoyed solo (except for the kitties), this nap is delightful on a comfy queen bed during the early afternoon. Stretch out across both sides of the bed in whatever odd position you fancy and be sure your furry companions have plenty of free pillows and blankets to curl up on. When you stir from slumber, flex a foot to find a warm kitty belly rising and falling beneath your toes. This is the ideal nap for the 75% sleep, that place of sweet sweet sleepiness where you have just enough consciousness to recognize that you're enjoying yourself. 

3. the Buddy Nap 

This nap can be a tricky one as you must be quite tired so that the tossings and turnings and getting-comfortable-ings of your buddy don't disturb your relaxation, but when you do settle into super calm mode, it is extremely peaceful and pleasant to have your loved one at your side. Drape an leg over his/her leg or let his/her hand rest on your stomach. Should you be roused prematurely from your rest, let the gentle breathing of your buddy lure you back to sleep. Buddy naps should extend from 1-3 hours for maximum enjoyment.

2. the Muted-TV-turned-to-bowling-golf-or-tennis Nap 

Ideal for couches or over-sized chairs, the Muted Boring Sports Nap (alias) works great on Saturdays in the late afternoon or early evening. Stretch out on the cushions in that position that you couldn't replicate if you tried and ignore that sensation telling you that you really ought to get up to do X, Y, or Z. The flickering of the television screen provides a sort of mood lighting appropriate for our 21st century world. The slightly subdued sounds of your co-habitors may from time to time pull you from your sleep, but don't worry, as such minor intrusions will allow you to linger in glorious 75% land. 

1. the Thunderstorm Nap 

The platinum of naps, the Thunderstorm Nap is the rarest creature due to its dependence on Mother Nature's mood and schedule. When the sky begins to green and the air gets eerily silent, you know the time is right for nap preparations. Make sure the windows are open and that you have a light blanket nearby because you are sure to enjoy a breeze. Don't despair if you don't fall into slumber during the (literal) calm before the storm: the repetitive sound of the rain will soothe you into sleep. When at all possible, take advantage of the weather and engage in this type of nap as you may only have several such opportunities per annum. 

Meet the Monster

Who doesn't love a cat in a
blowfish hat?! 

That is, meet Cookie 

aka Cookie Monster 
aka the Monster 
aka Cookaroni Macaroni Chicharoni 
aka Cook 'n Book 
aka Cooked 'n Booked 

aka our new kitty. 

A few months ago, sweet little Cooksteroni was at a shelter about an hour away from our house when the woman who runs a local no-kill shelter was there to pick up a dog. Cookie (formerly known as Mona) and another cat were to be put down the next day b/c their time at the shelter was up - and even though her shelter had no space, this woman took them with her b/c she couldn't bear to see them put down. 

Well, thank goodness! 

Our Mini Fuzzy (that is, she looks like a little version of Fuzzy) is 7 lbs., probably 1.5 years old, loves chasing plastic balls, and laying just far enough away from you that petting her head is an inconvenience. She's also afraid of feet. And about as sensitive to sound as I am. 

Yes, our cats do eat in the
powder room. Long story 

While she was all morose and cuddly and lovey at the shelter (re: lap cat; also read: exactly what we were looking for) and when we first brought her home and quarantined her, over the last week and a half she has

- met the cats 
- ingratiated herself with them (albeit not without their having hissed a number of times first) 
- squished herself into multiple window sills 
- semi-stolen P.J.'s beloved window seat 
- carried P.J.'s turtle (Terrence) around in her mouth while "singing" 

and decided that now that she's got love, safety, and lots and lots of space and food, she isn't going to be the lap cat we took her for. 

What a little brat. :) 



Some sisterly bonding. (She totally looks like Fuzzleface!) 


We're suckers for this little baby, and we're happy we went with a "cat" and not a "kitten" (even though she's tiny) since it's much easier for kittens to find a home. Did I mention she's a total pig? She fits right in . . . even if she is sitting over there on the window seat instead of on the couch with me and Brad.