Michelle and Mannie (GA)
Member Since 2009
Good Morning LL! 
(YUM! I Love coffee!), and Happy Caturday!
LL! It's is I, Elsa, Kitteh Barista!, 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. They are offering a special on the Mannie and Stu Pizza Special: Hot Dogs RULE Pizza, buy one get one free! Try it, it is mega good. Mannie said so! 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!
Bug, Co-CEO Paw Prints Pizza
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. Even with the added care for Elsa, and teh addition of a new furkid Vanessa, we have mange to maintain a week of adventure, and fun. Weather was darn cool too: Warm and sunny! It has been a good week. 
And first up today.... Elsa News. She is doing fairly well. We are one fluids every other day, and will continue in that mode unless it appears that she needs them daily. She is alos on pepcid, and cerenia to deal with any upset tummy issues. Both seem to be helping her, as we have no indication of nausea, or a gassy stomach. She is also on clavamox to deal with her mouth as she is not a dental candidate. So far there is no indication that that AB is bothering her. Elsa is a good at home fluid taker. She sits on my lap, DH will stroke her head and talk to her while I administer her fluids. She is as good as gold. I will have to laugh though, as soon as we are done, and she knows when that is, she sits up, hisses a few comments, and off she goes. She gets handful of kitty treats for being such a good patient. Today we will take her to the vetty to rerun BW, and see if the AB's have made a difference, with the theory that a bad mouth adds toxins, which can also affect kidney values. We shall see. I am also curious to see if after a solid to weeks of fluids if we have any improvement in kidney values. She remains active, doing Elsa things. last week she has made sure I get up in the morning. The kitty choir, with Bug and Lola as back up singers, has returned! It is nice to see her just being Elsa.
Vanessa is doing well. She is however still adjusting to being in a new home, and remains under the bed most of the time. We know she has been out at night, roaming some when the other cats are quiet. I have to keep reminding myself that she has only been here 6 days, and that this adjustment has to be hard for her. She is 14, used to a single at home, where she lived for 14 years. Over the course of 10 days she has lost the only home she ever knew, been in a shelter and two other homes before she found us. Two weeks ago I had received a message from a FDMB member, Chris and Chloe, that they had rescued a 14 year old senior Norwegian Forest Cat. Seems her mom had her since she was 1. The mom is ill and having financial troubles so she had to move (home?) to Canada. She's staying someplace that won't allow pets. Chris spoke to her, and she started to cry and is so sad to give her up. so.... we are doing are best to make her comfortable here. I send alot of time with her in the basement, just giving pets cuddles, and reassuring words. She is such an affectionate kitty, that I hope soon she will take on the lay of the land, and explore upstairs, where we spend most of our time. If only Lola, out resident crazy cat, would cut her some slack and stop growling every time she sees her.
Soon I hope....
It has been a 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's swim classes continue, Monday and Wednesday this week. Nicholas continues to do well, working on learning side breathing, elementary back float and stroke , and the beginnings of breaststroke. He just loves class, and can't wait for his lessons to begin. He literally runs to class when it is time. They have started to introduce the diving blocks, and beginning dives from the side of the pool. He absolutely loves that. Next week starts the summer swim classes at the pool. I was surprised to discover that classes during the summer are every day! M-FR! wow, will that ever be an adjustment, more so for us adults than for Nicholas. he was excited to learn he can have class everyday. I'm sitting here thinking, omg, how will I make this work. Guess we will be getting wet every day. Outside of class he still is our little energizer fishie, loves swimming in the big pool, and will often forgo the beach area play for the 6 and unders. He'd rather be in deep water. William continues to do well, and has gotten very comfortable in the water, on top and down under. He likes to float, and will do so, on his tummy in the shallow beach area. He tells everyone he is swimming! He's also started to do some jump ins. Cool! He's learning that jumping in can be fun too. How fun! Lessons ought to go well for him too, when he is eligible. We are grateful for our time in the pool. It has all enabled to boys to explore anther aspect of growing up, one they really enjoy. Our swim days this week were Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. Friday we had to skip, as the boys had a Mariners baseball game to go to that night with their mom and dad. NICE!
GO NICHOLAS! GO WILLIAM !!
William and Nicholas: Swim Buddies!
William and Nicholas: looking for mermaids....
And.... yes! We are still doing the Friday Night Burger Feast, although this Friday we had to do it at lunch, as Nicholas did not swim that night. On the plus side William got to partake then too! Nicholas loves it, and continues to look forward to it each week. We have this running bet on how many extra pickles (I always ask for extra as he LOVES pickles) we will actually get. It varies, anywhere from 2 to 10. This week, tally was only 4!
Only four????? well, at least it was up from the 3 he got last week. So.... in the interest of actually having extra pickles I started to bring even more a couple of weeks ago. I swear Nicholas did his version of the Mannie Fuds Dance once he saw them.
The week was busy.... three days of adventure after adventure. Weather was great this week, with sunny skies and temps in the 70 range, with FR being the only cloudy start day, so we were able to spend alot of time outdoors, from the play park at Meadowdale, the Play park by the MLT Pool, berry picking and trail hiking on the Mesika Trail, to the Pacific Science Center on Friday. We even squeezed in some time with the boys Grammie Connie after Nicholas's swim on Wednesday. Thursday I bit the bullet and took both boys swimming at the Lynnwood pool, so that William could have one day of swimming last week. I usually don't take them together, yet, as William is learning and requires 90% hands on, Nicholas is a 100% go for it all guy in the pool, and having them both in deep water is a bit nuts. 
But we survived, and they had such a good time. Being there at that time allowed Nicholas to do the big tube slides, swim the lazy river, and get dumped on by this big high in the sky water bucket. Great time for him, and William had a good time too. He loved the river, not so much that big red bucket. 
it was a treat to be at the Science Center on Friday, as none of us could remember the last time we were there. The weather has been so great that we've been outdoor places. But with morning sprinkles and gray skies we just decided keep it indoors and visit an old favorite. Good times! It truly was a great week!
Nicholas & William: Fun on the slides!
For my own personal time, I continue to hike the local trails here when I can: Meadowdale, Picnic Point, and Scriber Lake. It is nice to have such great places close by. I did take a travel trip on Tuesday, up on Highway 2 to do a series of short hikes, visiting Jack's Pass, Beckler River and a new spot: Forks Up in The Sky. The HWY2/Beckler Road drive was really nice too! Jack's Pass is an absolute favorite place of mine. there are no trails, but one can do several miles just hiking along the Skykomish River's Edge. And that is what I did. What an awesome time. I stopped in at Beckler River , where I took the boys last week, just because I could, passing it by on my way out from jack's pass. I love that river... saw several pools of small one inch long fish. Awesome! I had decided early on to stop in at this large pullout along HWY 2 just west of Index. I have driven by it over a hundred times, never stopped, and thought that day I would. It was clearly marked for some sort of "trail'. WHOA! Ever so glad I did. It is called Forks Up in The Sky, Raptor point. The area is an underdevelopment state park. trail is short, but leads down to the Skykomish river, for an incredible river access, with shore sand, rocks, and VIEWS, all sorts of things to make for a great visit place.I walked as far sown along those boulders as I could. Had an excellent time. The boys would love it. So... will have to go back, with them in tow. I just love discoveries like this place.
Skykomish River, at Jack's Pass
Forks up in the Sky, Skykomish River
Normalcy in Three MusketeerVille!
Kitties are doing well, and there really isn't much change from last week. Bug is still being cuddly, Elsa is still holding her own even with a few new issues, and Lola is still escaping. It is interesting that Bug has no desire to be outdoors. Lola however.... Elsa seems to be doing OK this morning. She's made two trips outdoors, made three passes at the fuds bowl with a few nibbles, meowed at me a few times, and is now lounging on one of Mannie's old kitty beds. Lola is currently running from window to window, plotting, I am sure, her next escape route. Bug seems to be edging her on. I can't wait to see how our new addition will fit into the three ring circus, once she gets here. Guess they will have to become the Four Musketeers!
KITTIES!! Remember: BLUE, think GREEN
(YUM! I Love coffee!), and Happy Caturday!LL! It's is I, Elsa, Kitteh Barista!, 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. They are offering a special on the Mannie and Stu Pizza Special: Hot Dogs RULE Pizza, buy one get one free! Try it, it is mega good. Mannie said so! 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! Bug, Co-CEO Paw Prints Pizza
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. Even with the added care for Elsa, and teh addition of a new furkid Vanessa, we have mange to maintain a week of adventure, and fun. Weather was darn cool too: Warm and sunny! It has been a good week. And first up today.... Elsa News. She is doing fairly well.
We are one fluids every other day, and will continue in that mode unless it appears that she needs them daily. She is alos on pepcid, and cerenia to deal with any upset tummy issues. Both seem to be helping her, as we have no indication of nausea, or a gassy stomach. She is also on clavamox to deal with her mouth as she is not a dental candidate. So far there is no indication that that AB is bothering her. Elsa is a good at home fluid taker. She sits on my lap, DH will stroke her head and talk to her while I administer her fluids. She is as good as gold. I will have to laugh though, as soon as we are done, and she knows when that is, she sits up, hisses a few comments, and off she goes. She gets handful of kitty treats for being such a good patient. Today we will take her to the vetty to rerun BW, and see if the AB's have made a difference, with the theory that a bad mouth adds toxins, which can also affect kidney values. We shall see. I am also curious to see if after a solid to weeks of fluids if we have any improvement in kidney values. She remains active, doing Elsa things. last week she has made sure I get up in the morning. The kitty choir, with Bug and Lola as back up singers, has returned! It is nice to see her just being Elsa.Vanessa is doing well. She is however still adjusting to being in a new home, and remains under the bed most of the time. We know she has been out at night, roaming some when the other cats are quiet. I have to keep reminding myself that she has only been here 6 days, and that this adjustment has to be hard for her. She is 14, used to a single at home, where she lived for 14 years. Over the course of 10 days she has lost the only home she ever knew, been in a shelter and two other homes before she found us. Two weeks ago I had received a message from a FDMB member, Chris and Chloe, that they had rescued a 14 year old senior Norwegian Forest Cat. Seems her mom had her since she was 1. The mom is ill and having financial troubles so she had to move (home?) to Canada. She's staying someplace that won't allow pets. Chris spoke to her, and she started to cry and is so sad to give her up. so.... we are doing are best to make her comfortable here. I send alot of time with her in the basement, just giving pets cuddles, and reassuring words. She is such an affectionate kitty, that I hope soon she will take on the lay of the land, and explore upstairs, where we spend most of our time. If only Lola, out resident crazy cat, would cut her some slack and stop growling every time she sees her.
Soon I hope.... It has been a 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's swim classes continue, Monday and Wednesday this week. Nicholas continues to do well, working on learning side breathing, elementary back float and stroke , and the beginnings of breaststroke. He just loves class, and can't wait for his lessons to begin. He literally runs to class when it is time.
They have started to introduce the diving blocks, and beginning dives from the side of the pool. He absolutely loves that. Next week starts the summer swim classes at the pool. I was surprised to discover that classes during the summer are every day! M-FR! wow, will that ever be an adjustment, more so for us adults than for Nicholas. he was excited to learn he can have class everyday. I'm sitting here thinking, omg, how will I make this work. Guess we will be getting wet every day. Outside of class he still is our little energizer fishie, loves swimming in the big pool, and will often forgo the beach area play for the 6 and unders. He'd rather be in deep water. William continues to do well, and has gotten very comfortable in the water, on top and down under. He likes to float, and will do so, on his tummy in the shallow beach area. He tells everyone he is swimming! He's also started to do some jump ins. Cool! He's learning that jumping in can be fun too. How fun! Lessons ought to go well for him too, when he is eligible. We are grateful for our time in the pool. It has all enabled to boys to explore anther aspect of growing up, one they really enjoy. Our swim days this week were Monday, Wednesday, Thursday. Friday we had to skip, as the boys had a Mariners baseball game to go to that night with their mom and dad. NICE! GO NICHOLAS! GO WILLIAM !!
William and Nicholas: Swim Buddies!
William and Nicholas: looking for mermaids....
And.... yes! We are still doing the Friday Night Burger Feast, although this Friday we had to do it at lunch, as Nicholas did not swim that night. On the plus side William got to partake then too! Nicholas loves it, and continues to look forward to it each week. We have this running bet on how many extra pickles (I always ask for extra as he LOVES pickles) we will actually get. It varies, anywhere from 2 to 10. This week, tally was only 4!
Only four????? well, at least it was up from the 3 he got last week. So.... in the interest of actually having extra pickles I started to bring even more a couple of weeks ago. I swear Nicholas did his version of the Mannie Fuds Dance once he saw them. The week was busy.... three days of adventure after adventure. Weather was great this week, with sunny skies and temps in the 70 range, with FR being the only cloudy start day, so we were able to spend alot of time outdoors, from the play park at Meadowdale, the Play park by the MLT Pool, berry picking and trail hiking on the Mesika Trail, to the Pacific Science Center on Friday. We even squeezed in some time with the boys Grammie Connie after Nicholas's swim on Wednesday.
Thursday I bit the bullet and took both boys swimming at the Lynnwood pool, so that William could have one day of swimming last week. I usually don't take them together, yet, as William is learning and requires 90% hands on, Nicholas is a 100% go for it all guy in the pool, and having them both in deep water is a bit nuts. But we survived, and they had such a good time. Being there at that time allowed Nicholas to do the big tube slides, swim the lazy river, and get dumped on by this big high in the sky water bucket. Great time for him, and William had a good time too. He loved the river, not so much that big red bucket. it was a treat to be at the Science Center on Friday, as none of us could remember the last time we were there. The weather has been so great that we've been outdoor places. But with morning sprinkles and gray skies we just decided keep it indoors and visit an old favorite. Good times! It truly was a great week!Nicholas & William: Fun on the slides!
For my own personal time, I continue to hike the local trails here when I can: Meadowdale, Picnic Point, and Scriber Lake. It is nice to have such great places close by.
I did take a travel trip on Tuesday, up on Highway 2 to do a series of short hikes, visiting Jack's Pass, Beckler River and a new spot: Forks Up in The Sky. The HWY2/Beckler Road drive was really nice too! Jack's Pass is an absolute favorite place of mine. there are no trails, but one can do several miles just hiking along the Skykomish River's Edge. And that is what I did. What an awesome time. I stopped in at Beckler River , where I took the boys last week, just because I could, passing it by on my way out from jack's pass. I love that river... saw several pools of small one inch long fish. Awesome! I had decided early on to stop in at this large pullout along HWY 2 just west of Index. I have driven by it over a hundred times, never stopped, and thought that day I would. It was clearly marked for some sort of "trail'. WHOA! Ever so glad I did. It is called Forks Up in The Sky, Raptor point. The area is an underdevelopment state park. trail is short, but leads down to the Skykomish river, for an incredible river access, with shore sand, rocks, and VIEWS, all sorts of things to make for a great visit place.I walked as far sown along those boulders as I could. Had an excellent time. The boys would love it. So... will have to go back, with them in tow. I just love discoveries like this place. Skykomish River, at Jack's Pass
Forks up in the Sky, Skykomish River
Normalcy in Three MusketeerVille!
Kitties are doing well, and there really isn't much change from last week. Bug is still being cuddly, Elsa is still holding her own even with a few new issues, and Lola is still escaping. It is interesting that Bug has no desire to be outdoors. Lola however.... Elsa seems to be doing OK this morning. She's made two trips outdoors, made three passes at the fuds bowl with a few nibbles, meowed at me a few times, and is now lounging on one of Mannie's old kitty beds. Lola is currently running from window to window, plotting, I am sure, her next escape route. Bug seems to be edging her on. I can't wait to see how our new addition will fit into the three ring circus, once she gets here. Guess they will have to become the Four Musketeers! KITTIES!! Remember: BLUE, think GREEN
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Last night when I went to bed, my bedroom is right next to the one she is camped out in, she came out and wandered some of the basement area with me. That was nice to see. What a slow process this is, baby steps as they say. 
