3/7 CATURDAY CONDO: More busy, lots of FUN! Happy Caturday L&LL!

[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! Lola reports that the Full Worm Moon Pies were a huge hit, so she's adding them today at a Caturday special. Cool, I think 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! OH! We gots peppermint cheesecakes too!

Lola, Co-CEO Paw Print Pizza

Bug, Co -CEO paw Prints Pizza

Elsa, President and CEO, Coffee Cat Coffee Company



I hope everyone has had a great week. We have been.... well, busy again! I just can't imagine not being on the go. It keeps us out of trouble, and makes for great times. ! 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, since we all know FUN AWAITS! I have unfortunately been fighting a cold this past week, as I was the week before, so that has made it all a bit challenging, but all still went well. I will have to thank William for this one, who got it from Nicholas, who got it from school. William is coughing again, Nicholas seems better, so.... maybe we can finally get rid of this nastiness! So goes life when the kids enter school, and bring it all home. . oh well... we continue to keep on truckin'! Nicholas also has a slight case of canker sores.... We are not too sure what brough this about, as he's never had any issues with them before. His mouth does hurt, hard to eat some things, he doesn't quite understand why the treatments are a good thing, but he still keeps on trucking too. I am grateful for all those that help us on a daily basis, friends, people that know us at the places we go, and though I write this each week, still 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!

It has been a good week in the pool. 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. Nicholas knows which days he swims, William has figured that out too. I can drop Nicholas off at school, and William will turn to be and say "Pool!". AFFIRMATIVE! We are still to have Nicholas in lessons by summer. As I wrote last week, 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 spend 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 join class. So far this approach is working! Paws crossed. Last Wednesday, as class was wrapping up I did ask one of the guards is we could get a class placement eval for him, without the swim test, which has been a huge hurdle. She knows Nicholas and what he can do, so... I thing I did a happy dance a dozen times over then she said sure, and gave me his evaluation. Now all I need to do is enroll him in class. He is still not sure. William is also doing well. The last time we swim he was repeatedly asking to swim in the big pool. This has not changed. YAY! 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. Nicholas is ow asking too if William can swim with him. Soon, I think. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Night were our swim days this wee, AWESOME! and GO NICHOLAS, GO WILLIAM!

Nicholas, our energizer fishie, so at home in the water. I swear he has gills....

William, just like big bro!

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! Even with a very sore mouth Friday night he still devoured that burger, and those pickles. It is such a positive and fun thing for both of us. I wouldn't stop this tradition for anyting, or until he decides it is time.

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, which was actually fairly decent with Friday morning being our only questionable morning! We have had such warm sunny days, with temps being in the 58/62 range. We have sued these sunny afternoons to our advantage, visiting and hiking the Mesika Trail by the pool, and Juanita Beach. Both places are faves of the boys. They love hiking that trail, and at a mile it is quite doable for them. A story to share... part of the trail is a bit marshy, somewhat muddy, but has a decent creek access. So in went Nicholas, William and I followed. Sucess! We made it, avoiding the muddy sections. When we were done, I helped Nicholas out, only to sink into the mud with my shoe getting stuck in the mire. Of course it came off.... Nicholas was trying to to laugh, William was hoping he could get out, and I was trying to figure out how to recover my shoe without stepping in the muck in my sock..... HAHAHAHAHAHA. I did get my shoe back.... and no muddy sock.... Junaita Beach was awesome, boys loved having a sunny day at the creek and the beach there. What a great time. We made Friday a science day at the Pacific Science Center, per Nicholas's request. He also wanted to walk the outside of the building, and spend time in their gardens there. That too was a great day. I am still being pulled in different directions when we go... William wants this, Nicholas wants that. Both boys are learning the art of compromise, sharing, and working together, and giving in sometimes. It has been fun, and a very cool week.

Nicholas and William, our local river rats!


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, and this darn cold on what days were left. So this past week I've spent doing alot of the local stuff, mainly Meadowdale. Tuesday taxes were filed, YES!!!!! We are DONE with Uncle Sam! Tuesday I also met my eldest son, Anthony, for Breakfast, a tradition we have been doing every other week for quite some time. It is always such a nice time, good food, good company. Spring sure is trying to take hold here.... See??? Flowers!

Normalcy in MusketeerVille How cool to be able to say that. The Three Musketeers are Doing well! 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. This morning as I was doing laundry I saw her out on the patio, on a park bench that is there. She was sitting in the sun, sunning herself, much like Mannie used to do. I stopped what I was doing just to watch her. I am ever so grateful that she is still with us, and can enjoy those kind of moments outdoors. It was very heartwarming to watch her sunbath, face to the rays, much like Mannie did. I wish I had the camera with me..... 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 hasn't missed a night. 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? so far he continues to play nanners! Time will tell, and stayed tuned.... Lola is, well, Lola.... No new craziness, but the usual continues! 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. I know it wrote this last week, but I am very grateful that she entered our lives when she did. She really is, in all seriousness, a joy to care for. She makes life fun. I wrote this last week too, 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.
and once again, for old times sake... Mannie, as characterized by so many that loved him.... I so remember the ropes... The kitties used them so often to drag him down from the Stratosphere, aka the red floor, and he in turn would come to their rescue when they decided to follow him. As I remember, CD and Big Mac created this image.

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 warm sunny air, and to exercise the legs some. It is shaping up to be a really nice day here, so one must hit the trails!

KITTIES!! Remember: BLUE, think GREEN

 

[ecurie]

"Elsa... please order me some nip pies. my beans are just bummin around today and it doesn't look like they're making my dinner!!! what's with that? " xoxo ollie

my dear Elsa.. please sign me up for a mocha or two. There seems to be a slight delay in kitteh dinner delivery due to a case of bean blahs.... we can't have that! xoxo auntie mary

Hi Michelle,
your crew seems perfect as always. It's wonderful to see all your adventures with Nicholas and William. Can't tell you how much i like the picture of Nicholas along the river's edge in his mucking boots followed by William who looks to be up to his knees in river mud fun.
xoxoxo to Mannie and his ropes. He's not really gone and never will be forgotten
I never realized how much my Mr. Gregarious (below) looks like your Bug. They could be brothers.

Please pass out hugs and scritches appropriately . I'm sure no one will care if you get confused.
xoxoxoxox mary and ollie

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

@ecurie hi Mary! How wonderful to hear from you! I hope all is well there with you, your DH, the furkids, and Ollie! Mr Gregarious does indeed look like Bug! How cool is that? THX on all... It was GREAT to have the weather start to warm a little, and not have rains so we can get out to those creeks and rivers, the boys can wear their mucking boots and just go for it. They both love it there so much! True river rats they are! Too funny, but they are often up to their knees in it. So cool to see it all. THX on Mannie... and the ropes! Shesshh I really miss him. It is coming up on two years since he crossed, seems like yesterday. LOL on the hugs and scritches. I gave big group ones, told them they were from Auntie Mary, and all three of them gave back purrs. Take care!!
AUNTIE MARY!!!!!! You gots it! Ollie set me a text, is way concerned, so I will send three extra tall extra strong extra huge mochas. He says he is starving, and will fade away at any moment... Best tend to dinner! Lola and Bug say no worries - they are on their way with pizzas, normal pizzas, no weird ones so you don't have to cook! ~~ Elsa, kitteh barista
Ollie! DUDE! that is so weird man... I will see what I can do about them,. beans are beans ya know.... One has to keep them trained and entertained. In the meantime, Big and Lola are on their way! Nips pies for you! hey, come backs with them, we can have a camp out in Mannie's treehouse. FUNS! ~~ Elsa

 

[Vyktors Mum]

Awesome photos - all of them, I can't possibly decide which is my favourite! You always make me feel like such a couch potato with all your activities and each week I tell myself that I'll do something interesting this week too, but then I dont - normalcy here too teeheehee. Good luck getting Nicholas signed up for swim class, why is it that he's not so keen?

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

@Vyktors Mum - Hi Serryn! Well.... truth be told I have my couch potato moments too, like in abut 5 minutes! Many thanks on the pics, I certainty do have fun taking then. Me too ont he swim class. I to this day am uncertain as to why he doesn't want to do it, short of it being something new he's never done. Sometimes he can baulk when he's uncertain, or afraid that he can't do what is asked of him. He sets at times ratehr high standards for himself. SO... we keep taking him to watch, and show him that yes, he can do this, been doing it on his own for sometime.

 

[carfurby (GA)]

How great that Nicholas doesn't have to take a swim test. I hope he will agree to take a class. I'm sure he'd love it. I hope the cold is gone for everyone. I love the kitty pics. I'm glad they're all doing well. I love the Mannie pic.

 

[Tiger(GA) and Ruth]

Those are all wonderful pictures of both your fur gang trio and the boys! This spring weather is really spoiling us, isn't it? I keep wondering when the rainy March roaring in like a lion thing will happen? Sounds like Nicholas is almost ready to sign up for swim classes- good job! You continue to amaze me how you can keep up with both boys all by yourself, I was exhausted looking at the pics LOL! Thanks for sharing these, especially the one with Mannie- hope you're feeling better Michelle Have a great weekend!

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

Good Morning LL! (YUM! I Love coffee!), and Happy Sunday!

LL! It's is I, Elsa, KBP!, president and CEO of Coffee Cat! Life is GOOD! Coffee is on, Lola and Bug , founders of Paw Prints Pizza, are ready to go! Want pizza? it is MEGA GOOD! They are busy getting ready for.... uh.... I dunno! but there sure is a flurry of activity in the kitchen. :shock: 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. 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....... and orange drizzle! SWEET OH! No worries, a dollop of orange and vanilla and chocolate and caramel swirl ice cream, on top of a dollop of fudge, and a chocolate caramel drizzle.... Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh....... mega good!

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you are all having a good weekend. Our weather here has turned into spring, at least for this weekend. We are lucky enough to be posting 58/62 temps, with sunny cloudless skies, no rain, and no winds. It has been a beauty of a weekend here. I spent the afternoon hiking in the local woods, Meadowdale, with a jaunt down to the shore. It was gorgeous out. Beach wasn't too busy either, so that was nice. Tides were out, so I was able to hike down the shoreline for a bit. What a great afternoon!

All is well, and normal in MuskerteerVille! ALL kitties, including our resident crazy cat Lola, are napping. Guess all that sun shine yesterday wore them out. Lola and Bug were sunning, alot, in sunbeams they found around the house. Bug loves them. Lola spent alot of time getting sniffs through the windows. Elsa, was outdoors, alot of the afternoon, sunning on the benches, rolling in the grass, and just catching some sunbeams anywhere in the yard. What a nice day for all the kitties.

Have a great Sunday L&LL ! We have bills today today, some yard work to do, and more walks on the trails here today. Weather will be too good not to be out!



@carfurby Morning Carla I so agree on that swim test! One less hurdle toget over... He simply will not take it. silly kid! So hopefully this will help, and we can get him in lessons, as I know he'd love them once he gets started. We are still working on that cold, but slowly things are improving. it has been a nasty cold season here. THX too on the kitty pics. It's been a while since I did some, long overdue! me too on that Mannie pic - a classic from a long time ago.

@Tiger and Ruth Morning Ruth THX on the pics. YUPP on this weather spoiling us. I am getting used to it, and sure hope it continues. it as been nice not to be freezing! Me too on the wondering about March... we all know how WET March can be here! last year was nothing short of perpetual sogginess. THX on Nicholas and swim class, I sure hope so! many thx too on the activities. Truth is I enjoy it as much as they do, so we do well on the keeping up. All is good fun! THX too on the feeling better: slowly we are getting there. I enjoy that Mannie pic - it brings back alot of memories of past times being so active on the Board with his condos. What great times!

 

[Michelle and Mannie (GA)]

I simply have to share this.... It posted on my FB page, From Cheeseburger I think via a cat page I follow, and WHOA! It so looks like Mannie, right down to the tail. In his younger days he could leap and jump and run this this. What a pleasant surprise to see such a random posting like this.... Lola had better take notice, she has quite the reputation to live up too!