One Year!

As of last Friday, the CCB has been with us for one whole year.

It is unreal how fast time flies, kitties. It has been one whole year since my place as the baby of the family was usurped by the CCB.

There was a big party with lots of people on Saturday to celebrate, and mommy was nice enough to lock me up in the blue bedroom so I wasn't upset by all of the strangers. When all of the weirdo beans left, I came out and investigated. There was a lot of food sitting out and boxes to play in, so it wasn't all bad.

The CCB is growing on me. I let her share mommy's lap with me, and I've even let her give me kisses. The CCB is BIG into kissing kitties. We are her absolute favorite furries. Holly is HER kitty - Ivy and I aren't all that into spending a lot of time with the CCB, but Holly gives her love and headbutts and lets the CCB tug her tail and play in her furs and give her lots and lots of kisses.

A CCB who acknowledges the greatness of kitties can't be all bad, right?

Happy Birthday, Crazy Cat Blurp. You are even more wonderful than the FD and Mommy could have ever imagined, and I like you pretty well myself.

An Early Merry Christmas

I may find this more than slightly embarrassing, but Mommy and the FD love these things and the CCB adores watching them.

Donna Nobis Pacem

Tortie Tuesday - Weeeeeeee're Baaaaaaaack!

Hello everykitty! It's Ivy with the Tortie Tuesday report!

Mommy was off last Monday AND Tuesday, which was PAWSOME . . . but it meant she didn't take time to help us blog. Oh well, I guess a kitty has to take what she can get.

On the other paw, the FD got his very own camera, and so he is taking a LOT more pictures of us with it. After a photo shoot he lets mommy know that he's taken "more pictures for the blog."

Shhhh . . . just between you and me kitties that camera was given to the FD by his daddy who lives in California because he didn't think mommy and the FD took enough pictures of the CCB. Ha ha ha! *ahem* Anyway, the FD is also using it to capture his furry children as well, which is what any good daddy would do.

Here I am (Ivy). I call this my 'sultry' look. I give it to the FD a lot.



And here I am, giving the FD my 'quizzical' look. I usually reserve this for mommy when she asks me "What have you been up to?" and uses THAT TONE in her voice. You know the tone I'm talking about, right kitties? You can also refer to this as the 'innocent' or 'who, me?' look.

Here is my sister Holly enjoying the fresh air. It has been HOTHOTHOT a lot this year, but whenever it cools off enough in the mornings the FD will open a window for us to enjoy. He's a good daddy.

And here is Holly again. You can see her extra toesies really well in this one!

Happy Tortie Tuesday Everykitty!

The CCB is an artist!

Grandmama let the CCB play on the computer with her yesterday, and this is what she created.

Why do I see no kitties?!?!?!

Friday Movie Review - Inception

Well kitties, once again Mommy and the FD went to a movie without me. But, as you know, this never deters me from my purpose. Once again I donned my disguise: Igor Kittenovsky, the Russian Foreign Exchange Student!

After using the plastic card I stole liberated from my mommy's purse to purchase the movie ticket, popcorn, and Dr. Pepper, I settled down in the cushy theatre seat to watch what I anticipated to be a great movie.

I was not disappointed.

Inception (2010)

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Written By: Christopher Nolan

In case you kitties didn't know, "Inception" stars Leonardo DiCaprio. My mommy is a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio. Since marrying mommy, the FD has become a big fan too. As you all may remember from my review of "William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet," I am also a big fan of Leonardo DiCaprio. When I went to see "Inception," I was worried that my love of Leo (he even has a kitty name!) might make me expect too much of him. Maybe I put too much pressure on him to excel. Maybe, in fact, he was so worried about disappointing me, the great kitty movie critic, that he would not be able to deliver his usual steller performance.

I am proud to announce that Leonardo managed to deliver once again.

"Inception" is a movie that combines several genres: Sci-Fi, Action, Mystery, and Thriller. While watching "Inception," you are immersed in a world where the technology to invade dreams exists. Leonardo DiCaprio's character, Cobb, is what is known as an "Extractor." He invades dreams to steal information that people want to keep secret. In order to get help to return back to the United States where he is a wanted man, Cobb takes a highly dangerous case where he is asked to actually implant an idea in a person's brain using his skills as an Extractor.

The story is about much more than the mission, however. "Inception" explores the relationship that Cobb has with each of his team members, especially his newest recruit to become the "Architect," Ariadne, who is played by Ellen Page. While watching the current events unfold, you also get clues to Cobb's past, and why he is tormented by the memory of his wife, Mal, and why her "ghost" is a constant threat to the success of their mission. The special effects are incredible, and appear seamless - they do not detract from the story, rather they are an enhancement. It seems natural for streets to fold over, for people to walk up walls, and for zero gravity to exist in hotels. Unraveling the mystery of Cobb's past keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat just as much, if not more, than the action scenes do.

I give "Inception" two paws up and a tail poof!

Tortie Tuesday Update

Holly here with an update.

Ivy is now using the litterbox again. Mommy praises her every time she catches her. That's the good news.

The bad news is that Tybalt is still refusing to follow her example.

The FD has a new theory - he thinks Tybalt may have new jealousy issues stemming from the Blurp's transition from her infant car seat to her new big girl car seat. Now instead of seeing the FD carry the CCB down to the car every morning in her carseat, Tybalt sees Mommy carrying the CCB down to the car.

Mommy is still giving us extra nip and attention and skritches when she gets home every night, and she's planning a trip to the V-E-T for Tybalt when her green papers get replenished at the end of this month. In the meantime the couch is covered by training pads.

However, mommy's fall classes start next week, so there may be new upset on the way for the Prince. She still plans on helping us blog at least once a week, so we will keep you posted on any new developments.

Tybalt says he has plans for a movie review this Friday. Anyone interested in his opinion of "Inception?"

 

(Here is an oldie but a goodie picture of me and my cute extra toesies and gorgeous tortie furs.)

Mancat Monday - Shocking Surprise

Mommy woke up all groggy, and got ready to go to her dayhunting gig so she could earn us all some more green papers. Mommy was being as stealthy and as silent as she could, so that she wouldn't disturb the sleeping CCB, and as she crept down the hallway to check on all of us and give us our temptations . . . she saw something shocking.

Mommy saw me peeing on the couch.

ME! Her sweet boy! TYBALT!

I tried to explain to her that I obviously have a doppelganger. I mean, it couldn't be me. I would never do anything like that. Honestly. I am, after all, a PRINCE!

I don't think she bought it.

After all of the advice mommy was given by other kitties and their beans, she started paying even more attention to the three of us kitties. She did notice that Holly was her usual self, but that Ivy and I seem to have a few more issues lately than we used to. For instance, she saw Ivy purposefully knock me over the half wall and down onto the stairs the other evening. I wasn't hurt and I ran back up like nothing happened, but mommy was still a little shocked. She also noticed that Ivy and I have been wrestling each other more than we used to, and that Ivy seems to be the aggressor more than she used to be.

And now that both of us have been caught using the couch as a litterbox, mommy is wondering what has brought all of this on.

There may be a trip to the V-E-T in my future, just to make sure nothing is wrong with me, but she also thinks that before that happens she is going to get some Feliway to see if that makes us calmer.

Luckily mommy had some training pads that she put on the couch yesterday, so when she caught me (although I still contend it was my doppelganger!) in the act this morning, it was safely on the pad and not on the couch itself.

Thanks! (And Ivy update)

Mommy and I want to thank everyone for all of their support and the great suggestions. Mommy is definitely going to follow the advice and see if any of it helps Ivy out.

There hasn't been any changes in litter or food. The big change in the house was the arrival of the CCB, but that was over 8 months ago and mommy isn't sure if Ivy is just having a delayed reaction to that or if it is something else. Mommy and the FD did replace the back door in the past month. It was old and falling apart and there was some rot issues. (The previous owners never really took care of our house, so we are dealing with the problems as we get the green papers to do so.) Ivy used to express her stress and displeasure with poo in front of the back door. Mommy is wondering if the back door area now smells strange to her, so she transferred her emotional potty issues to the couch instead.

Ivy is the sensitive kitty in our house - whenever something exciting happens (exciting to her at least) she has to run to the litterbox. A few years ago when the FD was still just the AD and he was gone for a month or so, Ivy took his absence really hard and was pottying in front of the back door ALL the time. When he came back it tapered down and then finally stopped. Whenever there is a schedule change, like when the FD starts a new semester or has to go in to work, there will normally be at the very least a few Ivy incidents. It's just all of the time now. It started with a few poos on the couch, and then it was a pee, and now it is both.

Mommy won't have the green papers to take Ivy to the V-E-T until the end of the month, unless it is apparent that it is a BIG emergency of course. Like I said in the last post, both mommy and Grandmama checked us all out as thoroughly as they could to see if they thought there were any health issues going on, and that included getting personal and touching us in certain places to see if it caused any discomfort. We all passed their tests. Mommy really thinks it is an Ivy emotional issue.

Since mommy has been using the Nature's Miracle spray, the pottying seems to have tapered off a bit. The next plan is to get the pads to put on the couch and to look into the Feliway to see if that helps Ivy out.

We'll keep you posted!

Caught in the Act!

The FD said he caught someone in the act of using the couch as a litterbox last night . . .

I am sorry to say that mommy and the FD's suspicions were confirmed.

It was Ivy.

Ivy has a long and sordid history of ignoring the litterbox, especially for emotional reasons. Mommy and the FD have accepted this (when the incidents were on the easy-to-clean floor) but they are finding it harder to live with now that it is happening on the furniture.

Mommy and Grandmama took the crazy cat blurp (CCB) out shopping this past weekend and stopped by PetSmart and bought this.


It does work, kitties, in that the couch no longer smells like the zoo. However, it has NOT deterred Ivy from still doing her dirty deed on it.

Both mommy and grandmama checked out all of us kitties (before Ivy was caught) to make sure we seemed healthy and not sick. Mommy has gotten up close and personal with the poo and pee to make sure there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary about it. Everything checked out a-ok.

The FD has done his part by spending even more time with us kitties and playing with us and we have all gotten more nip lately, and mommy and the FD make sure to NEVER skimp on the kitty treats.

I'm afraid they are running out of ideas.

Mommy is ready to threaten Ivy with a trip to the V-E-T.

Important Information for Mancats!

My mommy has a friend she made in those classes she goes to that takes time away from me. This friend is also a lover of kitties and has THREE manly tuxies and . . . well . . . a doggie.

We all know how I feel about doggies, even though the tortie twins LOVE them.

Anyway, one of the tuxies, Fred, had to go to the V-E-T because he was having some problems, and now poor Fred has to be put on a special diet, which I suppose isn't too bad since it involves stinky goodness.

Fred's mommy and daddy started a blog about food, and their latest entry is all about Fred and his new diet. I thought I would introduce the latest kitties to join the blogosphere! (Even if it is just their beans doing the blogging.)

Click here to read all about Fred, George, and Mozart! (And their doggie Yoda too).

It is a sad day . . .

when a kitty finally has to cave and put word verifications in for the comments on his blog because spammers have decided to have their spammy fun spamming up his blog.

Sigh.

PS: There is still some "using the couch as a litter box" going on, but it seems to have slowed down some this week. Mommy still has no clue who the culprit is, and we still aren't talking.

Wordless Wednesday

Tattle Tail Tuesday

Somekitty has been ignoring the litterbox.

Somekitty has been using the couch instead.

Mommy is most displeased.

We aren't talking.

Thoughtful Thursday

Kitties, I've had a lot to think about in the past year. I've also had too much time to think about it in.

In the past year there have been a lot of changes in my kingdom.

Almost Dad became Forever Dad.
Mommy had an alien blurp in her tummy.
Later, mommy brought home a blurpy girl.
Blurpy girl turned into Crazy Cat Blurp.

I could go on, but I shall spare you. Suffice it to say that no one has had any extra time to help me with important things, like keeping in touch with my friends, my sweet Sammie-pie especially, or even just helping me update my blog with all-important Tybalt news bulletins even once a week, let alone once a month.

Loki, Dana, and myself all went without cupcakes on our birthdays.

CUPCAKES!

I ask you, how is just telling us "Happy Birthday" on our special day enough?

At least I know mommy feels guilty about it. She feels guilty about a lot of things, especially how we furry babies have gotten the short end of the stick.

The good news is that right now mommy is between classes, so at least for this week I am back to blogging!!!! That's right, kitties!

I am keeping my paws crossed that this trend continues . . . .

Wordless Wednesday - Da Blurp

Punk Blurp Mohawk . . . I'm glad I've never purrsonally had a bad fur day

Why I haven't been blogging . . .

Sometimes pictures DO speak louder than words.




Meet my bean sister, the Crazy Cat Blurpy.

PS: Happy Belated Birthday to Dana! And Happy 8 Months to the Blurp!

Wordy Wednesday

*SIGH*

I wouldn't blame all of you if you have forgotten me. When mommy went back to work after the blurp, she told me we'd have more time to keep up with my friends.

Have we?

NO.

To be honest, kitties, I don't see regular blogging in my future anytime soon. But I thought I would go ahead today and update you all on how we are doing.

Everything is about the blurpy girl nowadays, so I suppose I'll start by letting you know that the blurp is doing great. She will be 5 months old on April 15. I can't believe it! Time flies when you have a blurp around. I have taught her how to smergle, so she smergles her blankies and her clothes and her toys . . . and she'd probably smergle me if I let her get her little paws on me, but I don't. I teach her things from a safe distance. (Everyone says the blurp is teething, but I know she is getting in touch with her inner meezer and is smergling just like her big brother Tybalt.) The blurp likes to smile and when she is really happy she will giggle. She likes to roll around now and play with toys, and she loves watching the TV with the Forever Dad. She is super interested in us kitties now and likes to watch us. I am sure she is a future Cat Lady.

As for me, I'm doing okay. I still don't think I get enough attention. I used to have the pawparazzi following me around all the time, and now they follow the blurp. I used to sit in mommy's lap and get carried around, and now she holds and carries the blurp. I used to sleep with mommy at night, but now I am not allowed to because every time mommy lets me in I jump in with the sleeping blurp and wake her up. Mommy tells me blurpy sleeping time is sacred, but I don't get what the big deal is. You'd think she'd be honored that I would even want to snuggle with the blurp.

Whatever.

The girls don't seem to notice the difference as much as I do, but then again I am my mommy's special boy, so lack of mommy time bothers me more. The girls get to hang out with their FD a lot during the day while the blurp is being watched by Grandmama and mommy is at work, so I suppose everything is peachy in their world. Well, Ivy has started pooing outside the litterbox again, but when doesn't Ivy have poo issues? Mommy says she is "special." Ivy has also started trying to run for the great outdoors again as well, which has scared mommy and made her mad. Ivy never learns.

Since the camera goes where the blurp goes, and pretty much EVERY picture takes nowadays is of the blurp, there aren't any good recent pictures of me. However, Holly did get some attention by claiming a bag on the floor and not letting mommy throw it away.


Oh, and guess what?

I have always secretly wanted a stroller. I have often dreamed of going strollering with mommy, and enjoying the fresh air and birdies and flowers and maybe even seeing Timmy the Squirrel, my arch-nemesis, close up.

Have I ever gotten a stroller or gone strollering?

No.

But guess who has?


Yes. I admit it. I am jealous.

Sammie-pie, think I could come over and stay with you awhile?

Help Parker Vote!

I'm sure all of you know my beautiful friend Parker. (Hopefully my sweet Sammie-pie won't get jealous because I acknowledged that Parker is, well, a very attractive ladycat.)

Anyway, Parker is asking everykitty and their beans to go vote for the Wayside Waifs and their video "7000 Stories." It shows some of the furries that they have helped. It is super easy to vote! All you have to do is go to the website here and look until you find the blue merle doggie (black and grey with spots) and then click on the picture, and then click on "vote!" How easy is that? But everykitty needs to hurry and do it, because today is the last day.

I've already gotten my mommy to vote twice - once yesterday and once today. I tried to let Parker know on her page, but I'm having problems leaving comments on her posts . . . but I'll figure out that problem soon. In the meantime, Parker, I'm doing my best to help spread the word!

Also, I was poking around the pictures on the computer, and I found a picture mommy took in Helen, GA last spring.

Sigh. We are supposed to get freezing rain and sleet tonight.

Where oh where are you Spring? We southern kitties can only take so much of the wintry weather.

PS: A lot of our special kitty friends need extra purrs and purrayers. Please know that while mommy and I may not be around on my bloggie very much, we still care about you all, and you always have our love, purrs, and purrayers.

Remember Me?

Just in case you don't, here is one of my handsomer portraits to jog your memory.




Mommy is back at work, which means she'll have more time to be my secretary than she would if she was actually at home with me and the blurpy girl. Blurpy girls take up A LOT of time and energy. You kitties with blurps know what I mean, right? I still get temptations, I still get skritches (although admittedly not as many as in the pre-blurp days), but things just aren't the same. Mommy tells me I'm still her sweet baby, but that the blurpy girl needs her more right now. I guess that is true, but my feelings are still hurt. I cry at mommy a lot and try to snuggle with the blurp on her lap, even though there isn't room for me and the blurp is still too small to snuggle on top of.

Sigh.

The blurp is growing like a weed, though, so I have hopes that if mommy won't pay me as much attention as I think she should, then the blurp will pick up the slack. Even though I am a teensy bit jealous, I have to admit she is pretty cute . . . for a blurp.


I'll have to teach the blurp how to walk on all fours soon. All she does now is lay around and let people carry her. How is she going to stalk mousies that way?