Just a quick message

All is well here at our house. The cold air box has kept us cool, so we are all good. Our mom has been feeding the neighborhood strays and has given them nicknames, Troublemaker (he's a tuxedo), Mittens (grey tiger with white feet) and Snowshoe (snowshoe siamese). Troublemaker and Mittens meet Mom at the front door in the morning at 5:30 or so. Good news is that they are keeping the rodent population in control. Bad news is we are having to share our mom with them. Mom is pretty sure Mittens and Snowshoe have homes that allow them to be outdoor cats. (sad face here) Troublemaker is a stray and has the scars to show for it. That said, Troublemaker and Mittens let Mom pet them and their tummies and Snowshoe is coming around too. Maggie May and I are worried about what Mom will want to do when the weather gets bad this winter! In the meantime, this sums it up!

Have a snuggly Monday, Suki (Princess Fluffybutt) and Maggie May

Happy Earth Day

Mom just remembered it was Earth Day, so she wanted to share these images with you. She has found these through the years on Google or a posting on Facebook. Remember to take of this planet...it's the only one we know of that has CATNIP! Snuggles and purrs, Maggie May and Suki

still here but not HERE!

 Mommy checked our blog today and realized we hadn't posted anything for over a year! Sorry for anyone who was worried about us!

The Fluffybutt! I suppose she is sort of cute!

The little fur ball has grown into a full-size lady cat, and she's been sleeping with Mommy the last week or so...not cool but I get to sleep on a nice down blanket, so I'm not too upset. Mom always pulls the covers up when she gets out of bed in the morning, so I can sneak in between the comforter and fuzzy blanket when the fur ball becomes too big a pest, or I just feel like some cozy alone time.

Me, resting on Mom's quilt

Mommy checks on me to make sure I'm happy there and the other feline hasn't found my hidey spot yet.

Me, making sure Mom doesn't forget to put the sewing machine away.

Mom has been trying to sew a little every day, but it takes away her attention from us, so it's my duty to try and stop her, if I can. Laying across the cutting mat, meowing and generally pestering her while she's trying to sew, works about 50% of the time, so I'm okay with that. She also does a crazy thing of walking circles around the basement (Mom here: I was trying to complete a challenge last year of walking 2022 miles, which worked out to be about 5.5 miles a day. Somedays, the basement was my best bet for getting it done.) I also supervise her when she does her loops but she's doing less this year (about 3+ miles a day).

Suki (aka Princess Fluffybutt) has discovered the hot water baseboards, so this time of year that's where she'll be found. I like that because she's not in my way. She likes hidey spots that are low (behind furniture or the bookcases and I like it high. Mom has found me on top of the hutch of her dresser or the top of the bookcase. 

So, we are alive and well and so far, 2023 hasn't been too ugly. 

So, we'll try to stop back and post more often. Mom says she's going to be traveling more this year, something about quilt shows. I'm not sure I'm happy about that but her sister or nephew come by when she's gone and they feed us very well, so it's not all terrible.

Have a great Sunday, everyone!

Purrs, Maggie May

Remembering our loved ones during the holiday season

 Ann from Zoolatry is always so good at making the best reminder posts and today's was no less. 

Whether the loved one you are remembering had fur or scales or was even human, take time to remember and let the memories ease your sorrow.

Missing our Charles this Christmastime.

I'm not sure about this!

 So, two weeks ago, Mommy's nephew, Tim, brought his fluffball here. He has taken on a new job that requires him to travel and they thought maybe I would enjoy having company. Did anyone ask me? NO!

She's a little bitty thing and she really hasn't done anything but exist but I don't like having her here. Mom tries to ensure I feel safe but this little fluffball is sleeping in my favorite spots and she follows Mom into the bathroom when she gets up to supervise and that's my job. I don't like it, I don't like it at all. Matter of fact, I have made my feelings quite clear, hissing at her when she gets too close or when she surprises me.

Mom says we might be "stuck" with her because the alternative is the shelter and mom's soft heart won't let that happen. So, we'll see if we can find a middle ground but she is not going to sleep with Mom. On that, I am putting my paws down! 

This is the fluffball. Her given name is Suki but Mom nicknamed her Princess Fluffybutt and I think it very appropriate.

So, purray for us. I would like her to find a new place to live or, at least, leave me alone but I don't think that's going to happen.

Snuggles and purrs from Illinois,

Maggie May

Happy Earth Day

We are adjusting to being just the two of us. Mommy actually left me alone for a long weekend, with just a visit from Uncle Tim to check on me. I think she was worried about me but as long as I had plenty of food and water, I knew I would be just fine.

My plan for today is to be in conservation mode, as in I'm conserving energy and taking a longer nap and not moving from the back of the couch!

So, plant a tree, repurpose a t-shirt into a great cat bed, and just think twice about how you are using your resources. And, remember, Earth is the only planet with chocolate! (that is from the mommy)

Snuggles from Maggie May.

And then there was one :-(

 It's been a long time since we posted. Charles and Maggie May have been living the good life with me, the mommy. However, Charles has been not doing well and when we calculated his age, we realized that he was 16 years old. 

Charles has been giving me signs that we would be soon be memories to one another for several months but as long as he was eating and making his morning jump from the floor up to my tall bed, I was willing to keep following our regular path. That had become more difficult for him though.

Wednesday morning, he couldn't make the jump and he didn't want any food (hadn't eaten on Tuesday either) and I knew it was time. We spent our remaining hours, telling each other in our own ways, how much we loved and would miss one another until we were together again.

Maggie May and I are finding out how to live without our tuxedo buddy and she still looks for him every morning. She's sleeping with me every night and has taken over Charles' job of waking me up too early for breakfast. 

Charles saved my life 5 years ago when the smoke detectors didn't work by banging on my closed bedroom door until he woke me up. We lost his brother to smoke inhalation.  He was my hero and I always promised I would do whatever he needed or wanted for his entire life and I like to think Wednesday morning also honored that promise.

I will miss my big tuxedo boy. See you at the Rainbow Bridge, Charles.

Fingers crossed

The mommy is taking over the blog for the evening post.
Charles and Maggie May

Thank you both for giving me this opportunity. I've been quilting for many years but most of my quilts are what I consider utility. Great quilts but not meant to be heirloom. Baby quilts are meant to be put on the ground to cushion a baby's play time, spit up on and washed until they fall apart.

My sister and her husband purchased property about an hour outside Nashville several years ago. This will become their retirement living area in a couple of years but for now, it's a vacation location and lots of work to keep the wild at bay. There are dry stone walls that mark the old property lines that date back to before the Civil War.
I went through a phase (it still pops up from time to time) where I enjoyed working with the reproduction Civil War era fabrics. My sister saw this quilt in the earliest stages and liked it. My sister appreciates my quilts but some of them aren't her taste, so this was a sign to me that this should be their quilt.

Last year, I took this quilt to be appraised for them. The appraiser encouraged me to consider entering some of my quilts in contests. I don't always see the beauty, only seeing the mistakes, so this is a huge leap of faith on my part. That said, today I sent off the application, complete with photos and the fee, to Quilt Expo, which is held in Madison, Wisconsin every September. This is a juried show, so the quilts are selected by committee, and the quilts that are selected are then judged before hanging in the show.
So, tonight, I'm saying a little prayer that this quilt gets juried into the show. I have no dreams of winning any of the prizes, just would like to make that first step and get it into the show.
The quilt is titled "Time Stands Still at the Farm", as my sister and her husband have named the property Southern Comfort Farm. I should know one way or the other by early August.
Thanks for keeping up with the cats and I. We appreciate you all.

Wow! where has time gone?

With apologies to all that we have missed in our absence, we wanted to post a short update.

Last September, Mommy got me a new sister. After the fiasco of Charlee, she was worried about how I would react but this new sister is young and (don't tell her!) fun. She likes to bounce on me when I'm sleeping and I get mad but not for long.
Mommy told me the people at the shelter named her Treebond (what sort of name is that?!!) but mommy decided she should be known as Maggie May. Maggie and I like to sleep and eat together, sometimes, but we are still independent cats and enjoy waking mommy up early every morning.

Another change since we last posted is that mommy retired from her job of 39 years last February. I enjoyed having her to myself until Maggie joined us last fall and now we enjoy having our personal servant with us 24/7. Mommy likes to sew and quilt and when she spends too much time doing that, I start tearing up paper and cardboard boxes. Mommy hates that and it's guaranteed to get her attention for a little while.

Mommy has managed to finish many quilts since she retired. Here are a few of those too (she insisted and since she is typing this for me, I'm letting her):

 Mommy says the last one isn't quilted yet but the others have been and two of them have been gifted.

So, that's all for now. If you have been waiting for us to post again, thanks for sticking with us. If you're new, welcome and stick around. I'm going to try and get Mommy to post more often.
Meows,
Charles

Just a new photo...

Mommy caught my handsome face this morning and wanted to share with anyone still checking our site. Not much happening here, eating, sleeping and meowing at mommy for more food-so typical cat stuff!
Mommy cleared me a space under her quilting table to curl up while she does her computer stuff and put a lovely bath mat on it to make it soft.
So all of you have a terrific day and keep purring,
Charles

Relaxing and adjusting to being an only!

Well, I  seem to be finding out how nice being an only can be. While Mommy says I'm a little more needy than before the Princess went to the Bridge, I do like having the mommy to myself.
Mommy has been home a little more than normal...something about having teethies pulled and replaced with new ones (don't know how that works but she seems to be ok and she doesn't look any different to me).

Today, Mommy caught me relaxing on the bed, on her blankie. It makes me happy to smell her when she's gone...I don't feel so lonely and yesterday, I left her a surprise-a hair ball on her other blankie and quilt that she found when she went to bed last night. I think she liked it, as she saved it til this morning before she made it disappear behind the door where she doesn't let me go (the basement, Charles, has nothing for you to enjoy, so you don't need to go there).

So, in all my glory and messy bed, here I am!!!

Sending thanks and purrs to all that are still with us.
Charles and mommy, Anna

Failed attempt!

So, yesterday, the mommy and her sister decided to see if Aunt Mary's feline, Charlee, might like to come and live with us. Charlee is a lovely gray and white girl cat and she immediately headed for my spot on the bed and nothing mommy could do last night would get her to move to the other bedroom, so we slept on the couch last night.
Charlee made her displeasure very happy by scratching and really biting hard. Now, mommy's hand is swollen and red (she bit REALLY HARD)  and my mommy has to go back to the job place tomorrow, so she's not happy.
Aunt Mary came and got Charlee this morning and all is good at the house again. Mommy cried when she had to give up on making Charlee comfortable here but it wasn't to be. I know that mommy is worried that I'm lonely while she's gone but maybe we'll try a little one next time and we'll put it in the spare room from the first. I'm not sharing my bed with no cat or at least not right away.
So,  every cat have a good week and watch out for those snooty, bossy girl cats...they lure you in with purrs and snuggles and turn on you on a whisker.

and then there was one! :-(

I lost the Princess this morning. When I returned home from work yesterday, she was laying near the food and water dishes, with no ability to move her hindquarters. She tried though and you could just see how much it cost her to do so. And no amount of coaxing would get her to eat.
I sat and held her, told her I loved her and that it was all right to go. Then i told her that I would see her at the Rainbow Bridge, where she would join all my other babies that have gone before her.
She was feisty and sometimes grumpy but she was my Princess and I will miss her greatly.

Charles will be an only for a while and we'll see how he adjusts to that.

Hug your babies-Princess was fine when I went to work yesterday and today, she's gone!
>''<

Settling in and recharging to solar powered cat!

Thanks for all the kind words about the loss of our Runt. Mommy still cries when she finds herself looking for him when she gets home from her away time.  The Princess and Charles are settling into the new place quite well. There is a little alcove that Mommy has set up a desk in that has two nice windows. One is just above floor level and Charles has decided that it is his place when she is working on the computer. Princess loves the cool bathroom floor and has ventured near the patio door when Mommy is out watering her one planter.

We have been in our new place for just about two weeks and all seem to be settling in fairly well. We definitely have more windows to look out of and a big patio door that allows us to sun ourselves while Mommy is at work, and it's pretty quiet. But most importantly, NO DOGS walking by our door!

Mommy wanted to share a picture of Charles, recharging in the sun this morning by the little window... Happy Weekend and take a moment this weekend to remember those who paid the ultimate price to keep us safe, wherever in the world you are.

Updates and losses

Well, it's been a long time since we posted...Time moves on and often too fast. Our mommy has been working too many hours and then spending her free time loving on all of us but it's time for updates and a little talk about losses.

Charles is still the big boy! He loves to relax on his blanket during the day and sleep on mommy at night. Dinner time is his favorite time of the day, but nap time is a very close second.

Taz, aka The Princess, continues to be her regal and standoffish self but there are little cracks in her demeanor when mommy gets up in the morning or comes home at the end of her disappearing time. Then, she comes running to say hi and that her water or food dish are empty or not up to her standards! But, mostly, she spends her time curled up on her chair, relaxing.

And Runt...Runt is part of the losses portion of this post.

Almost two months ago now, on a Monday evening after the mommy had retired to her own sleep spot, a fire broke out at our home. The smoke detector that worked on Sunday didn't work on Monday evening. Our mommy was woken up by Charles banging (really banging!) on the bedroom door. When the mommy opened the door to see what had him so riled, she was hit with heat and smoke. She quickly closed the door (she thinks that Charles slipped into the bedroom then) and called the fire department. Mommy had to be pulled from her bedroom window to safety but all she worried about was us (good mommy!).

Our house, while unlivable right now, will be fine. The terrific fire department found all three of us-Charles in the back bedroom, Taz in the basement, and Runt in the front bedroom, on the bed. Runt has had some health problems that affected his breathing and even with the heroic attempts of the fire department, he had inhaled too much smoke and they could not bring him back. Mommy keeps worrying that if she had called him and tried to wake him, that maybe he would be with us now. But, honestly, in her heart, she knows he was sleeping and just crossed the Rainbow Bridge with no pain or suffering.
Our mommy's neighbor helped mommy find a box that night to put Runt in and in the morning, he was buried in our back yard and when mommy gets a chance, she will plant catnip on his grave. Runt loved his nip and he would like the fact that the local kitties will enjoy it in his memory.

For now, we are living in a little place with only one window and we smell and hear strange people all the time. But the worst part is ... There are dogs here too! We can smell them when they go by with their people. Mommy says we might be moving soon into another temp place but we hope that we will be back in our home by August.
Mommy is crying now, so we'll let her finish this and get ready for her leaving time. We hope you will all offer a little prayer for us and for our beloved Runt.
WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU, RUNT!

Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas from 3 Kats and a Kwilter!

Other than the fact Charles decided I needed to be up at 3:45 rather than the 4:30 I had planned on (hey, that's sleeping in for me!), our Christmas is off to a great start! I am taking a break from the last wrapping chores to check my messages and send off this post.
All is calm, all is bright here at our house. Charles has spread out across my lap, spanning 8 inches off of the each side of  lap and the paws are flexing as I occasionally reach down to rub the tummy or tickle his chin. I've heard a friend refer to her tuxie as a land orca and right now, that's exactly what Charles resembles, and a really well fed one!

Will be heading to my brother's for Christmas with the family later and then home for some quiet before returning to work tomorrow. It won't be pretty but it never is when the PO is closed for an extra day but keep those cards and letters coming...it pays for the cat food!

So, from all of us here to all of you there, Merry Christmas and wishes for 2015 that it be your best year ever!
Snuggles and purrs,
Taz, Runt, Charles and mommy, Anna

Santa Paws Drive 2014

Well, after a year of being absent from the blog, we are popping back to do our annual posting about the Santa Paws Drive. This is the sixth year for the Drive and this year, they are going to attempt to save 100 kitties by sponsoring their relocation to no-kill shelters and forever homes. Our mommy was surprised to read that while there are waiting lists for kitties in the Northern part of the US, kitties are euthanized in the South. The two organizations selected this year help move kittens and cats to areas where they have a better chance for adoption and long, healthy lives filled with love and affection.

It has been our mommy's pleasure to make donations each year on our behalf. Taz (the Princess) was saved from a high-kill shelter and while she isn't the cuddle bug Mommy would like her to be, she still fills our mommy's heart with joy every day. Runt and Charles were heading for the shelter when their daddy was moving back home and needed to find a new forever home for them. That's when our mommy (his aunt) stepped up and gave us a new home, where we have the run of the house, lots to eat, and all the soft blankets we can snuggle into!

So, if you have a chance and want to help make a cat's life better, either by sponsoring a kitty rescue or maybe just by donating kitty-saving supplies (like a cat carrier, vet certificate, etc.), just head to the Santa Paws website (http://www.santapawsdrive.com/donate-2.html) and make a donation. The kitties will thank you and you will feel good too.

Thank you from all of us at 3 Kats and a Kwilter.

Wow! Thanksgiving!

Where has the time gone? My apologies for not keeping up on the blog but many weeks, I'm working 50-60 hours and just have enough energy to come home and love on the three that make my life full.

A little update on life at our house. Runt is still doing well, although the growth on his lower mouth is somewhat troublesome. A vet visit is in the works for that one. Charles has cracked me up repeatedly lately. Taz (the Princess) pretty much stays to herself but each morning, she will venture into the bathroom with me to get her morning snuggles and let me know that her food dish is lacking it's proper contents. Lately, Charles has sat at the end of the hall way, watching her and then thundering down the hall, stopping about a foot short of Taz, puts his head down and just waits...He is so big that it's a sight to see his tummy wobbling as he runs but it's really amusing to see the two of them interact after all these years. And, I actually saw the two of them doing the nose sniff thing the other day, so progress on that front.

So, as the bird is in the oven and the cats are curled up after their morning feeding, I wanted to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving and to my Jewish friends of human or feline persuasion, a Happy Hanukah!
Hugs from Taz, Runt, Charles and mommy, Anna

Happy July!

Well, it's been almost a month since we posted but our mommy's job has kept her away from home way too much! The first week she was back to work after her vacation, she worked 4 12 hour days and 2 10's! She says it will help keep us all fed but we would rather have our mommy home with us more...
Mommy here: I would rather be home with you all too.

Charles: Mommy likes to sit on the couch with the laptop in her lap and then I lay on the table that the computer normally sits on. Mommy starts to put it back when she gets up and there is this big, black and white fuzzy tummy there for her to pet and love on. Then, I have to move. :-(

Runt: The sun is out and I have the bathroom window to myself. Charles has tried to get up into it but his fat butt (snicker) just doesn't fit.
Charles: hissss

Mommy: Taz (aka "the Princess") has gone to the spare bedroom where it is cool and dark and the "boys" don't bother her. She likes to come out and get her snuggles when I get up in the morning and head for the bathroom. Then, it's just us girls and all is right with the world.

So, life is good here in 3 kats and a kwilter land...Mommy is going to work on some sewing and we're going to enjoy the cooler air and sunshine.
Snuggles and purrs,
Taz, Runt and Charles (and mommy, Anna)

Gotcha Day 2013...

Mommy is a little slow this week about posting our Gotcha Day note...something about her getting a year older or something!

Charles: It's been a good time-our Mommy hasn't been leaving us to go to the "job" and being gone for HOURS on end.

Mommy: I'm on vacation this week to celebrate my birthday and you and your brother's Gotcha Days.

Runt: We don't care why, we are just happy to have you to cuddle with us and such.

Mommy: It's been chilly at night the last few nights and once again, I am thankful these two came into my life...Charles, at almost 22 pounds, makes a lovely foot warmer and Runt likes to snuggle up near the top of the covers, keeping them from sliding off me!

Runt: Today is sunny and a little warmer. We have both been fed and have settled in for our post-breakfast naps-Charles is laying on the couch, next to mommy and I have the bathroom window all to myself, to watch and listen to the birdies sing. It's a good day!

So, for all of you who have stuck with us, thanks and please keep watching this space-we plan on gently using our claws to remind mommy to post more often.

Now to finish this post, Mommy found this picture on the Care2.com card site and thought it was wonderfully appropriate for all of us cats...