2/21-24 Loose Lips: Fun times! Happy Tuna Tuesday L&LL!!! And a Mannie video!

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Good Morning LL!! (Ahhhhhh.... elixir! Thanks Elsa), and Happy Catmint Caturday!
LL! It's is I, Elsa, KBP, president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! GUESS WHAT! Paw Prints Pizza is open and ready for business! They are running a Caturday Catnip special today, in honor of Catmint Caturday - lots of nip in those pies! They have even used their signature nip cheese. Best order early! OOOOOOOOO! They have perfected their NY Style hot dog pies. MAJOR YUM!!!! Try one, you'll see! Just order the Mannie and Stu Special! so. well. anyways. Coffee time! For today, I proudly offer Elsa's special 10 hour energy coffee, and Double shot espressos, with beans from deep within the mountain slopes of Africa, AND.... for all my Mocha fans: a venti quad peppermint white chocolate mocha, with peppermint infused whip, garnished with peppermint candy chips and white chocolate shavings... It is my bean's fave, and a Caturday tradition! SWEET! OH! No worries, a dollop of peppermint and vanilla and chocolate and caramel swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, sprinkled with peppermint chips and a chocolate caramel drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... mega good!

Elsa, CEO Coffee Cat Coffees

I hope everyone had a great week. The days with the boys have been good ones! We have been very busy, that part of life has not changed. Will it ever? NOPE!! I am so glad it hasn't! I just can't imagine not being on the go. It keeps us out of trouble! I often think back on the weeks happenings, and wonder how in the world did we do all that! It was the same this past week. We just seem to pick up and go each day, no questions asked, not by me or the boys, or the people I interact with on a daily basis. I am grateful for all those that help us on a daily basis, including my local barista! It cracks me up when I walk in that door and my order is already in the works. Life is very good!

Our life in the pool continues. It has just become the norm for us, we go each week, and just never tire of it. It proves to be such fun for both boys, and their excitement with it all has not wavered. We still hope to have Nicholas in lessons by summer. This past week I have been taking him to watch what goes on in a class that is much like the one he would be in. We spent about 10 minutes watching class. He was able to stand next to the class and observe. He really liked what he saw, so I am hoping with repeated visits to class session he will finally agree to take the placement test, and join class. Paws crossed. William is also doing well. The last time we swim he was repeatedly asking to swim in the big pool. I am thinking of extending the time we are there into the next big pool open time so he can do that. He will be so much like Nicholas when it comes to pool stuff. He just loves it all as much as his brother. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Night were our swim times this week. The Friday Night Burger Feast for Nicholas, after his swim session at the Snohomish pool, will be always on the highlight list. He looks forward to this every week, starts asking about it on Wednesday when he first sees me. He just LOVES those cheeseburgers with extra pickles!

Nicholas and William, our resident energizer fishies!


The boys and I continue to be very busy. Our weather has dictated alot of what we do, and even with that we still have great times. We have come up with a great list of indoor places, and this week we used them when we needed too, when the weather was questionable, mainly in the mornings. We have had somewhat cooler weather, but usually ended up with a big enough weather break in the afternoon that we could get out some. Mornings have been cool, cloudy and somewhat rainy, so most of out activities have been indoors. We have been to the Pacific Science Center, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Waterfront Park on those rainy times. Wednesday afternoon, after the pool session, we had a break in the rains, so we decided to hike the local trail near the pool: the Mesika Trail. It has always been a popular one with the boys, as it is a good distance for them, it has a seasonal creek, and is full of berries April through July. It was fun to be back. I find it challenging, amusing, and so so predicable with the boys now, in that they do have at times different opinions on what they want to do and see while at a specific place. William is so much more vocal now, and does make a point of stating, in his own way, what he wants. On the trails, I get alot of Nicholas wanting to go this way, William the other. At the Aquarium, Nicholas wanted the anemones, William the jelly fish. At the Science Center William wanted the music center, Nicholas the Waterworks. It is so fun to be pulled in two different directions now. Both boys are learning the art of compromise, sharing, and working together, and giving in sometimes. They have indeed been busy days. I love that fact the they enjoy being out as much, and staying busy and enjoying what they encounter where ever they are. It has been a great week.

Nicholas and William, waterfalls and anemones!

For my own personal time, I continue to hike the local trails here when I can. I still haven't made that mountain hike, but all in good time on that one. There have been appointments on my days off, and the weather took care of the others, so this past week I've spent doing alot of the local stuff: Meadowdale, Picnic Point, Mesika Trail, and Scriber Lake. Tuesday night I went down to watch the sunset at Picnic Point. That was such a nice time, wish I could do that one more often. Like most of us, I am so looking forward to spring and summer and the opening and accessibility of my fave hiking places. Tuesday I was able to have breakfast with my son Anthony. It is nice we can still carry this tradition of meeting for breakfast every other week, a time for catch up and good food. YAY!

Picnic Point at Sunset

Normalcy in MusketeerVille How cool to be able to day that. Elsa is dong well. She is eating better since I have been trying to get more food in here get some weight back on her, it is a slow process, but seems to be working, I think too that she really likes the individual attention. She is glad that we are warming some, do get a few weather breaks, so she can spend some time 0utdoors. At least she no longer wanders in her old age, we can always see her, so I don't worry too much. Well, just a little. Bug is doing great! He is such a love bug, and so reminds me of Mannie. They do/did so many things the same. I have a fleece blanket that I use in the evening when I am unwinding on my sofa, watching TV, reading, etc. He just loves that thing, and as soon as I have it out, he is on top of it, making biscuit after biscuit. And the purrs! I love that time. He still continues to use Mannie's beds, and recently has taken on the role of nanner protector. WHOA! Could be be developing another Nanner king? Time will tell, and stayed tuned.... Lola is, well... Lola. She is still my early morning lap warmer as I work on the computer. She never misses, curls up, purrs the morning away. I love that time when she is "normal" and the rest of the day? still chasing her tail , still walking my high off the ground railing, , still riding my frig door , still ripping up and left out paper , still pounding any glass type surfaces , still eating and ripping up my plants . Lola is... well, Lola. She really is, in all seriousness, a joy to care for. She makes life fun. I wrote this last week, but it is just the way things are here: Elsa grounds it in reality. Bug adds that element of comfort and reassurance. For this week: a for sure on that normalcy in MusketeerVille.
Classic Mannie and Nicholas. I just love the expression n Mannie's face....

Have a great Caturday everyone! Today has been catchup day here. Shopping and laundry done, and just being a little lazy. I hope to get out for a walk after I post this, for some fresh, though wet, air, and to exercise the legs some. It is shaping up to be a sunny day here, so one must hit the trails!

KITTIES!! Remember: BLUE, think GREEN

 

[Amy&TrixieCat]

The boys are getting so big - and the video (adorable, of course), shows how much they look alike, too!! Great kitty report...what an awesome crew you have. I think you need to bottle up some of your energy and sprinkle it around - as always, the amount of activity you squeeze into one week is amazing and impressive. I hope you're enjoying a relaxing Saturday - fueling up for another busy busy busy week!!

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Hi Amy Funny I was thinking that very same thing this morning as I was putting this together: they are getting so big. And William! So much more a little boy now than a toddler. They do look alot a like too, a few subtle differences, but one can sure tell they are brothers. THX on the rest. We sure do try to stay busy. I find the boys like it like that, and well kind of is the way I have always operated. Sure does help that I am no longer working, I can actually do alot. FUN! THX on today. It has been a good one. Errands and chores are done, and I also managed to get in a walk/hike to the shore through the woods. Sure is a gorgeous day here.

 

[Vyktors Mum]

Tee hee with Nicolas wobbling around like that I thought he was going to fall right on top of Mannie!

Excellent report for everyone - that's what we like to see

 

[carfurby (GA)]

I love the video. Mannie was so patient with Nicholas. I'm glad the kitties are doing well and Elsa is gaining weight. It is good Nicholas is able to watch some swim classes. Hopefully, it will get him interested in actually taking one.

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

@Vyktors Mum Hi Serryn Too funny on the wobbles. There were a few times as I remember where he actually did fall over on Mannie. Mannie never ever budged either. Took it all in, as good buddies do. THX on all!

@carfurby Hi Carla THX on the vid. I love watching these as they do remind me how patient Mannie truly was. THX on the kitties too, I am so glad they remain in good health. Me too on Nicholas! he'd do so well with them, that we all hope he will take them soon.

 

[Tiger(GA) and Ruth]

Great to see Elsa and her WCR sounds great!! Lola Lola Lola!!! She is the spice in everyone's life it seems!! Wonderful pictures always Michelle- William looks like a grown up young man now- it is amazing to watch this through your pictures! It must be so much fun to take the boys to your favorite spots- I was trying to think if it was easier now that Wiliam is so mobile, or more challenging to keep up with both of them? You are an amazing Grandma!! And I love the video too- I rememeber when my boys had to have those rolled up jeans and wobbled around - Mannie was one special kitty!

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

@Tiger and Ruth Morning Ruth Lola is just that: spice and then some. Sure does make things interesting around here. THX on the pics. In alot of ways it is alot easier now that William is more mobile, I don't have to think strollers as much, or packing him in a pack, etc. less weigh to carry, etc. But.... now he just goes and goes like his brother! It can be a challenge sometimes to keep up with them both, especially when they decide to head off in different directions. THX too on Mannie, he was such a patient kitty, loved Nicholas alot, always stuck with him, stayed close by. Good times!

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Hi Michelle,
The pics this week are beautiful, as always. Love the one of the bald eagles at Picnic Point. Sounds like you had a busy week with the boys. The observation of the swim class seems to be going well. I sure hope that Nicholas will want to take the placement swim and join a class this summer. The incentive of being in the big pool when it is closed for all but classes will help. The boys look like they are having such a good time in whatever they are doing.

The Mannie and Nicholas video is so neat. What a mellow kitty Mannie was to put up with a toddler! True love! I think it's great that Bug is taking on so many of Mannie's traits. And Lola, keep up with your energy and your antics. Your mamabean needs her entertainment!
Elsa, we're glad that you are eating well and gaining some weight. Rusty needs to follow your lead. The this past week was delicious.

Hope you get out on a mountain hike soon, Michelle. The trees in your pictures certainly look like early spring. (They look like they do here in late April!!).

Hugs and scritches, and thanks for the visits this week,

Ella & Rusty

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

@Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Morning Ella THX on the pics. I remember that photo, and thinking how cool it was to find them there. We do get them alot here, but to see them on that pier piling was really cool. I had seen seals near the shore that morning too. I hope so on the swim class thing for Nicholas. He is so adamant about not taking them that to have him see and show an interest in what he sees is great, and hopefully a step in the direction of getting him in class, without forcing him. I agree to on that incentive to be ale to have big pool access. I hope to be able to help him understand what it all means: no class, no big pool this summer. TX too on the video. it isn't that exciting of one, but does show the patience that Mannie had, how trusting he was with Nicholas. I agree on Bug: he uses Mannie's beds, eats next to me like Mannie did, the list is endless. Yupp on Lola! and Elsa. As long as she gains some, and doesn't loose any more. She is just so thin. me too on those mtns,. Might eb able too early this year,a s we just don't have the snowpack that we normally do. I think spring will be very early this year...

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Good Morning L&LL!! (Elsa - lots (!!) please! This bean is so sleepy...), and Happy Cheery Cherry Monday

LL! It's is I, Elsa, KBP, kitteh barista pilot!, president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! GUESS WHAT! Today is CHEERY CHERRY MONDAY!! Lola and Bug, aka Paw Prints Pizza, are making their cheery cherry pizza pies. It is after all Monday, and that is now tradition! Anybody up for a cherry pizza? so. well. anyways. Coffee time! For today, I proudly offer Elsa's special 10 hour energy coffee, and Double shot espressos, with beans from deep within the mountain slopes of Africa, AND.... for all my Mocha fans: a VENTI Quad cherry infused white mocha/mocha blend with white chocolate chips melted within, topped with a cherry whip garnished with candied cherry sprinkles and white chocolate curls. SWEET! OH! No worries, a dollop of cheery cherry and chocolate swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, topped with crystallized cheery cherries and chocolate drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... mega good! We gots CHEERY CHERRY CHEESECAKE too! as well as cheery cherry frappes! I love cheery cherry Mondays.

I hope everyone has had a good weekend. It was a great one here, complete with some mellow out time, some busy times. ad some outdoor time. Weatehr has improved some too. We had such a gorgeous sunny day on Saturday. Blue skies everywhere. Sunday wasn't as sunny, but no rains, so one really can't complain. We continue to hover around the 50 degree mark. Not bad! Saturday I went for a woods to shore hike at Meadowdale. It seems to be the norm for me on Saturdays. Sure were alot of people in the park! Sunday I went to my son's girlfriends master swim meet. WOW, camped out most of the day indoors at a pool. She did great, with some best times. There was a period mid afternoon where she didn't race for about three hours, so I took advantage of that time, and went down to Juanita Bay, which was about 5 minutes from the pool. I was able to visit the wetlands there, and the beach area that Nicholas and William and I frequent alot. That was fun, and a nice diversion from the pool. It was ncie too to hang out with my youngest son and get caught up on things.

Kitties continue to do well. Really not too much new to report there. No news is good news?

Have a great Monday L&LL! I am off to join the boys and the other GP's in our normal Monday morning swim session. A Seattle visit is on for the afternoon. Looks like a great day for a visit to the city, and time with a friend.

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

Hi Michelle,
Great pics. Bug looks comfy with the bowl of cherries. Wow on the fungi at Meadowdale. Makes me wish it were early spring here!! Have fun in Seattle today.

Ella

Yo Elsa, Bug and Lola, I'll be over later to play in the tree house. Too cold here to go outside! See ya soon,
~ Rusty

 

[Melissa & Tarragon]

Love the video!!! Mannie was such a great buddy to Nicholas and put up with all of it. Whew on your week. You do pack it all in. I know that the boys will cherish those times as well. Yay for Williams! It won't be long and he will be in the big pool with his brother.

Sweet on the kitties. Elsa reminds me a lot of our Turnup. What a sweet girl. Mannie has obviously been coaching Bug. That has to make your heart happy. And Lola. Good ole Lola. She has to keep things hopping there.

Have a great week Michelle!

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

@Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA) Morning Ella Yupp on Bug, that he is! Comfy I think is his middle name. We get such a nice variety of fungi here. I love this park in the spring for that reason amongst others. The stuff can be found just about anywhere, THX on Seattle, it should be fun.
Rusty! DUDE! You are ON! it is such a sunny day here, perfect for the tree-house. Lola is out now getting the zip lines ready. Cool, huh! We can hike the trails her too, they are so pretty now, perfect for cat-hiking, see ya soon! Bug has hot tune toddies waiting. ~~ Elsa

@Melissa & Tarragon Morning Melissa THX on the video. it is fun for me to go back and watch what I have, makes me wish I'd taken more. They were such good friends, Mannie was so patient, and really like Nicholas. I bet he would have taken to William too. THX on the boys, I hope they do. I think they will, they really do seem to enjoy all we do. YUPP (!!!) on William and that big pool. He has taken to that just like his big brother. Really kind of cool. it will be so fun in a few when William cam swim as well as Nicholas. I can see many of a day with the both of them getting wet, having fun, afternoons at the pool. Very cool on your view of Elsa, that she is: a very sweet soul. I think so too on Mannie being Bug's coach. He just keeps doing so many things the way Mannie did them, it is uncanny. I so know... Lola will always be Lola.

 

[Anne & Zener GA]

I cannot believe how big Nicholas is now when I see him with his best pal Mannie. Mannie was such a star, do love the look he gives the camera. What a patient soul was he.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

It sounds like you had a great weekend. How fun on the swim meet. I'm glad your son's girlfriend did well. I hope the swimming went well today and you had a nice visit with your friend.

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Good Morning LL (LOTS! I just love ), and Happy TUNA Tuesday!

LL! It's is I, Elsa, KBP, kitteh barista pilot!, president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! GUESS WHAT! Today is TUNA TUESDAY!!! In honor of Tuna Tuesday, once again Lola and Bug, aka Paw Prints Pizza, will make their famous triple tuna pies, with tuna and nip infused crust, tuna toppings, and now triple tuna infused cheese. YUMMMMMMMM! It's tradition!, and these pizza pies totally rock! and as a side benefit we have TUNA WATER too! so. well. anyways. Coffee time! For today, I proudly offer Elsa's special 10 hour energy coffee, and triple shot espresso, beans from the heart of central Ethiopia. and for my mocha fans: Venti Quad orange and vanilla mocha, laced with orange swirls, topped with chocolate whip, garnished with orange zest, slivered vanilla beans and chocolate swirls....SWEET! OH! No worries, a dollop of orange and vanilla and chocolate swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, topped with crystallized oranges and chocolate drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... OH! forget it... no tuna mochas. BLECH!

Ahhhh...... Tuna Tuesday!


Happy Tuesday L&LL! I hope everyone survived their Monday, an that the week is off to a good start.

We did OK here. Saturday was the usual errands and shop and laundry day. How fun! not. We did manage a hike in the woods here at Meadowdale, to the shore. It seems to have become my usually go to place on Saturday. Weather was great, hike was good, and I loved the time on a sunny beach.! I spent Sunday at my son's DGF masters swim meet. That was fun. She did very well, two best time sout of the three events she raced. YAY! There was a three hour gap in between two of her events Since it was a semi-decent weather day I decided to go out for a walk. The meet was held in Juanita, which is very close to the park and beach that Nicholas, William, ad I go too all the time. There is also a wetlands park a few yards from the beach park. So off I went, to explore Juanita Bay. That sure was nice! I found a new place for eh boys to explore at the beach park! COOL! That is surprising in that I thought we had explored all that was there. Apparently not. So it will be ncie to take them to the new spot. Lots of creek access,a d a TON of rocks for WIlliam to toss. The wetland parks was also great. Had a bast and make it back in time for her next event.

Juanita Bay Wetlands


Monday was fairly normal for me. it was a joint swim day for Nicholas, with the other GPa. William was off to a toddler library play and story time with the other GMa. Once again Nicholas and I watched the swim class, in an effort to get him really wanting to do this. I do believe we are being successful. He likes what he saw, told his mom and dad all about it, so I think we are getting there. I will ask the guard(s) when we go next time if I can get a class placement for him, without him having to do the swim test, since they all know what he can and cannot do. Looking good! We had a fun time on the pool. I love swim days.

Nicholas, our energizer fishie!

Normalcy in MusketeerVille! All three of the musketeers are sound asleep this morning, even wild and wacky Lola. Weather has been good here, so Elsa has been able to venture out into the yard. bug could care less, never even asks to go out. He knows where the good life is. Lola has been good, no escape attempts, and she seems to be content to sniff through the window screens. I still hope that maybe this summer I can build a catio and cat run for run. She'd like it and I wouldn't have to worry about my wild and wacky kitty being outside.

and for old times sake... one of my fave character images of Mannie, always with the nanners. Mr Cool Cat!

Enjoy your Tuesday! I am off in a few to head on up HWY 2, just shy of the mountain pass at Stevens. I would like to check out the river spots that the boys and I frequent to see how accessible they are. It looks like a great day for a mini road trip! YaHOO!



@Anne & Zener (GA) Hi Anne and Liz Funny, I was thinking the same thing when I first pulled up that video. How he has grown! Such a grown up little boy. I so remember Mannie being that way: the patient star, alwyas checking out that camera thing. Loved the poses I got.

@carfurby Morning Carla Meet was alot of fun, long (!), but fun. She raced very well. We did well in the pool yesterday too. Kid just loves the water, alot of fun for us all. THX on Seattle, it was a nice venture out.

 

[Anne & Zener GA]

We learned about nanners and rainbow toys from Mannie. Boy howdy, our Zener loved them too. We expanded his collection to include a hot chili pepper, a carrot, a boomerang, a Sauargo cactus and his last favorite toy, the Shark. We would think of Mannie each time Zener took a tumble with the nanner toys. Near the end, Z would sleep with his head on one of his nanners.

LOVE this pic of Mannie, such a dapper and cool kitty dude was he.

Anne

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

@Anne & Zener (GA) Hi Anne! I forget who it was that I learned about nanners from... gosh that was so long ago. I think it was Carolyn and latte maybe. Maybe Pat an Shadow and Raja. And then there was Kim and Shadow, whom I think founded nanners anonymous. Everybody back then was talking about them. I can remember thinking what are these nanner things, and I wonder if Mannie would like one... haha! and the rest is history. Best darn catnip toys ever! How cool on Z-Man. he had quite the collection! Mannie would sleep with his head on them too, always did. I used to love the beds he made out of them, with his sleeping on top of the pile. Me too on that photo, that one, and the one with the shades were all time favorites.

 

[Hillary & Maui (GA)]

Haven't been to LL in a long time and I saw this post! Love the Mannie video and the look on his face. Priceless! He was so tolerant of Nicholas and allowed him to do anything. Sweet.

So nice to see Miss Elsa our famous KBP! Love that she is still making the rounds with her special drinks!

Of course I see the boys on FB so I'm not missing out on those pics and videos!

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

@Hillary & Maui (GA) Hey Hillary, THX for the visit! Yupp, still do post here, folks seem to be reading it, even if it is;t really FD related... I so agree on Mannie, I so miss that aspect of him, and seeing the relationship he had with Nicholas. So so patient! Wasn't that look priceless? LOL on Elsa, still doing her ting, being careful with Maui's jet, but still ding a few aerial loops for fun and adventure. Great to hear from you here!