Ziva. the sports model

Around eight last night, the Mip Mips were all sleeping – three in their nest, Mewthos on the bed. I sat down and read my book for an hour – the only activity was Mewthos changing sleeping locations: he came to lie on my lap, purring happily. Around nine I lie down, switch off the lights and try to sleep. Enter the pinballs! More claw marks as they race across me.

This morning, as I’m about to leave for work, they all come clambering onto my lap – so I put down plenty of food in their bowl and on the plate and leave them eating noisily. As I open the door, Shadow comes shooting in – no, she won’t go outside, she’s here to see the Mip Mips, so open the bedroom door already! Sigh, there goes the Mip Mip food – with Ziva away, Shadow takes over as the bold Mip Mip food devourer. At least the Mip Mips have managed to get one meal out of it.

I need to come up with some way to dry out the litter box sand regularly. With Mynx that wasn’t an issue – he was one cat, and used the gravel litter in the bathroom, which I’d exchange for new litter regularly. But with two adults and four kittens using fine sand litter – I can’t throw out 5kg sand every couple of days! I sift through it daily, picking out all lumps, but it’s the wet sand that stinks! In my bedroom! I had it outside in the sun all day yesterday, turning the sand regularly – but it was still not dry! And I simply can’t throw it out and re-fill with a new bag, where would I throw it? I can’t put 10kg sand into my garbage bag every week! Even 5kg a week is too much – and it is also much too expensive. So I have to find some routine to dry it out.

Washing (as in rinsing it with water) would be better, but can you think of any way to rinse sand? Gravel, yes, but fine sand? Talk about nailing jelly to the ceiling, eh? Well, not quite as impossible, I could mix the sand with water, wait for it to settle at the bottom then pour off the water, though I’m likely to loose some sand; tedious but possible. Though I can’t do that twice a week!

Also: unlike with Mynx, I have to have a litter box in place while I clean it. With Mynx I could just take it away and clean it in my own time – no worries. But with four kittens? No chance! Well, the weather report says it should be sunny with chance of a shower on Saturday and mainly sunny on Sunday – so I have two days to figure something out!

I picked up Ziva at the vet – she’s lovely and docile when she’s drugged! While there, I also had her vaccinated, since she probably never was. This week, I’ve officially spent on the cats as much as I spend on cigarettes in a month! I asked the vet, who did the vaccination, about her eye and he looked and said she injured her eye a long time ago. There’s a white mark on her eyeball and he could see a blood clot at the back of it – but it was healed and nothing to worry about. He also guessed her to have some Abyssinian breed in her mix somewhere. He also said she should calm down a lot without the hormones driving her out and about so much – should, though. There’s no guarantee. Well, I certainly hope so!

She was complaining, but otherwise inactive on the ride home. Back at home she licked herself and several times tried to pull the stitch out! I stopped her over and over, and I hope she’s got the message. I’m not letting her out tonight, nor tomorrow morning – I did give her a treat, though!

I better pack my lunch and fry myself a quick steak for dinner, since it’s getting late once again. I liked reading my book last night – and would like to do that every night.

All's well that ends quiet

Reasonably good night, but I still have sleep to catch up on! Remember those mornings I used to take photo’s of the sunrise? Yeah, ok, so sunrise is a lot earlier now – but I don’t even want to get up at all anymore!

I thought I’d let the Mip Mips into the lounge this morning – but they shot straight through, outside and down the stairs! I caught Quizzy Lizzy right at the bottom of the stairs – again. So back into the bedroom they go!

I’ve taken the big litter box outside into the sun for the sand to dry. The bedroom smells – and I can’t even open a window! I think it’s short sleeve who still widdles outside the box, I caught her last night in a puddle outside the box in the bathroom. And this morning I observed long sleeve digging in the litter box – he didn’t get a chance to widdle, since his siblings came to disturb him.

As all the mini’s were sleeping, I thought I could open the door to let some air in … nope: Short Sleeve shot out, dashed for the door and was about to run down the stairs when I caught her!

Well, the Mip Mips have gone for their first vaccination and deworming. They were lovely and quiet in the car – no trouble at all! Both rides. The safety belt goes nicely around the cat carrier, so – even though it’s just a short ride – they’re quite secure. I got their vaccination certificates – with all the details mixed up!

Back home I closed the windows and let the Mip Mips out, then took a break before feeding them. Now I’m trying to find the energy to do the needed shopping – when what I really want to do is lie down and catch up on my sleep!

I’m spending more than twice as much on the cats than I am on myself lately! And all I get for my efforts is sleep deprivation and claws in the most delicate places – like my knees, my thighs, my back. I must look like a pin cushion by now!

Well, sleep didn’t work out – courtesy of a phone call. Not everyone can know about my new ‘Wednesday’s off’ schedule. So I tried taking Mewthos for a walk on a leash. But even with both mommies encouraging him to come down he would go as far as half-way before running back up. Every time. Oh, and the twins suddenly start screaming when I touch them! What’s up with that?

When Rose came to visit, they had gotten over their screaming act – all were lying sleeping, all cute and cuddly. As Rose was saying it was time for her to leave, Ziva nonchalantly walked into the cat carrier and lay down – so I closed it! Have you ever heard of a cat walking into her ride to the vet? Well, it was part of the furniture for a week, she’s been sleeping in it and this morning she saw the Mip Mips going for a ride in it – I just hope she doesn’t change her attitude to it when she comes back!. She wasn’t any real trouble during the ride, upset, yes, but nothing extraordinary. Cried, clawed, sure, but didn’t go berserk. She also didn’t take the opportunities to escape presented at the vet. Anyway, all’s well that ends quiet.

Cat-astrophies (been waiting for an opportunity to use this!)

When I came home last night, it looked like a tornado had gone through it! The table-cloth was torn, some plaited hairbands (I had made in primary school) were strewn throughout, the covers of some hardcover reference books were torn off, etc. etc. And Mip Mips running past my feet outside. I caught Quizzy Lizzy as she was investigating the cat TV – fortunately before she could go through it! I collected every last Mip Mip, placed them in the bedroom and closed the door.

I offered them food, but they showed no interest, so I left the – nearly new – tin with some scoops in their bowl. And escaped into the lounge. Rose came to visit and we had a lovely chat, during which she gave me a number for a different vet who charges lower fees than the one the CatCare Lady recommended. I made an appointment for the Mip Mips vaccination on Wednesday morning. I had booked Ziva for sterilisation on Thursday morning – since she must fast before the op, I can bring her in Wednesday afternoon. They’ll keep her overnight, so the kittens won’t starve and they’ll do her Thursday morning. Then I can collect her again Thursday afternoon.

While we’re talking Ziva comes strolling in, so I let her into the bedroom – and close the door again. Only later, as we’re about to go through to visit the Mip Mips do I remember the nearly new tin of baby cat mousse I had left for the Mip Mips! Sigh. It’s empty – and none of the Mip Mips got any food! Because when I bring another tin later on, they all eat hungrily!

I spent some time playing online, watched an episode of Boston Legal and then had the pleasure of an undisturbed bath! After which I went to bed. At first the Mip Mips came out – as usual – and romped and raced around the room like pinballs. Ziva, however, sulked in the cat carrier. I picked her up and put her on the bed with me – but she went straight back into the carrier. When the Mip Mips finally quietened down, they all went to sleep under the bed – except Mewthos, who slept snuggled up against me.

When I tried to turn at some point during the night, a sharp pain jolted me awake. I don’t know whether it’s a cramp or what, but the right thigh- and/or hip-muscle is agonizingly painful. I can’t move without a sharp pain jolting me wide awake. When I try to get up in the morning, the leg nearly gives under me – only my expectation thereof prevented me falling flat on my face. It took a few attempts before I could make it to the bathroom. I can lie, sit, even drive without problems – but as soon as I try to get up, I’m in trouble. By lunch time it’s finally at a bearable level. Unfortunately my current task requires a lot of walking. This isn’t the first time and it’s always the right leg.

Back at home the first task I tackle is the litter box in the bedroom – and I open a window. It’s a big task, carry out the box, shake out the throw, pick up the newspapers and black bags, vacuum, clean the carpet, put down newspaper and black bags again, place the throw back on top, sift through the sand removing all clumps and loads and finally put the box back in the corner. I’d like to dry out the sand as well and steam clean the corner – but I just don’t have sunlight for drying nor energy left to steam clean.

Rose was kind enough to keep an eye on the Mip Mips while I vacuumed in the bedroom – I’ve let them romp around the whole flat … and Rose wisely puts up curtain after curtain, what’s left of the table cloth … by the time they can come back to the bedroom, we’re both exhausted!

After Rose left, I played a bit online – then went back to the Mip Mips … only to find Long Sleeve taking a walk on the wild side! As in: on the window sill … OUTSIDE! That’ll teach me to play with fire!

Instead, I decided to play with the Mip Mips for a while, dangling the tinkling mouse in front of the twins, who love this game! Poor mouse has lost ears, is tattered and hanging by a thread – even the stick is chewed! It’s been a source of endless fun and pleasure – so I’m on the lookout for another, for when the string finally gives way.

Shadow came in again, and again. Shame, she’s been really good to the Mip Mips and helped me a lot, so I take some time and brush her – something she loves, and given her thick fur, needs as well. With her supervision I can let the Mip Mips roam the flat – bar the spare bedroom! I’ve closed that door – my books are safe.

Eventually the Mip Mips lie down to nap … only, I can’t find Quizzy Lizzy! So I search the flat: behind the washing machine, inside the machine, behind the stove, behind the wall unit under the curtains – no Quizzy Lizzy. Uh oh! And she’s the most adventurous of the lot! Guess where she was? Taking her nap in the cat carrier!

When her playmate is called in, Ziva also comes home – so I give her a good brushing. Now she’s quite happy to keep the Mip Mips in the bedroom without me needing to shut them in. 

There are some good news, though: Thanks to the interest of the Mip Mips in my vanity dresser, it is almost completely dust-free! They missed a few spots, but mostly they’ve dusted quite nicely.

I'm trying to think, but nothing happens

I’ve tried writing over the weekend, but I’m just not up to it. I’m not ill, just utterly, utterly drained of all energy. Saturday Rose’s daughter came to visit the Mip Mips. Afterwards I went outside to the garden, since it was such a beautiful day – but all I managed was to fill the drum with a few branches – then I slept for a few hours.

Sunday I found the battery of my car dead – again. Rose was kind enough to take me to the Spar down the road to get some rolls, fruit and meat. I also got some pre-cooked Spare Ribs, which I shared with Rose – yummy! Full meal done in 20 minutes – just heat it up.

This morning a friend of Rose’s helped start my car – I meant to be outside to wait for them, instead it took nearly ten minutes to get past the cat colony who all tried to get out; and Shadow slipped past and dashed inside.

I’m still feeling utterly drained – body is up and basically functioning, but the brain is hibernating somewhere. I hope it’s found somewhere nice – I’d love to go and join it!

No sleep for the fur-granny

As I predicted, no sooner had my head touched the pillow than the Mip Mips came alive and started racing and romping with no regard for the big lump lying dead centre. Then I heard bat noises again! I don’t know whether it’s the same bat or another one, but mommy went straight to the window sill to take care of the intruder – and all the Mip Mips crowded around – and on – my face in avid attention. Now, I struggle to fall asleep even in a quiet bed, but with a horde of Mip Mip butts in my face? Yeah, not so much. So I wriggled off to the foot end of the bed, away from all the action, and tried again. Not much luck, though: Twice Mip Mips raced across my face! Mewthos, however, came to a screeching halt right before my nose – then looked at me rather apologetically.

Some time in the middle of the night I felt like Gulliver tied down by midgets, when I tried to move my legs and found the duvet weighed down by Mip Mips and Ziva on all sides. And then I felt one Mip Mip snuggled against my ribs! Turns out Mewthos prefers to lie snug and warm.

With all this activity throughout the night, I overslept something awful! Quizzy Lizzy tried to help by selecting a bra for me to wear – I wrestled that out of her agile little paws and put it away safely. And the bat is now definitely dead. Lying in front of the litter box in the bathroom!

Speaking of which, what is it with all the Mip Mips following me into the bathroom while I answer nature’s morning call? They helpfully try to pull off toilet paper for me – thank you, but the whole roll is a bit much! They investigate the whole bathroom, climb up the towel rack (I don’t have fitted towel holders – they came off before my time, and the owner feels one ring for a small hand-towel is enough) then sit atop enjoying the view. And, of course, inevitably one of the Mip Mips just HAD to jump up and put her claws into the tender underside of my leg! Who, you ask? Well, which is the most curious and adventurous of the Mip Mips? Yes: Quizzy Lizzy!

Ziva went out when I got up. As I’m having my morning coffee, I hear the cat-doorbell (as in a cat outside meowing to be let in), thinking it should be Ziva, I open up – but it’s Shadow! That’s when I realise just how late it is already!

As I’m getting ready to leave, I hear Rose leaving, so I go out to let her know Shadow is in my flat – as we talk Ziva comes running and Shadow runs out. Sigh. I finish up and leave – as I open the door Shadow comes running back inside. Ok, so both mommies are inside to watch over the Mip Mips. I had cleaned out the litter boxes last night and re-filled the kibble dispenser this morning – so there should be no problem. Well, except that one of the Mip Mips still widdles OUTSIDE the box! Sigh.

Back at home Mip Mips and mommies were quite happy to see me, Mewthos came running as soon as he heard me closely followed by Quizzy Lizzy. All Mip Mips were quite hungry and ate ravenously – the twins still prefer to eat off the spoon, Mewthos & Lizzy prefer eating out of the tin.

Later on, I gave Ziva a tin of Sardines in jelly – it was rather funny, she had quite a time getting her head and mouth in between the Mip Mips who were eagerly eating the sardines, too! I think, when the Mip Mips exceed baby-age, Ziva will start fighting her offspring for any treats.

I spent most of the evening on a lovely phone call with a friend! Yes, I do have friends!

When I finally got around to picking up the bat – I found it was still alive! I can’t see any actual injuries, though it does seem weak. It’s nearly nine in the evening, so the best I can do is put it somewhere safe outside and hope. The Mip Mips did their romping an hour early today, so maybe I’ll be allowed to sleep now.

Mewthos - Mip Mip Meister - Daft Wullie?

I opened my eyes to Tiger Tim sitting on my pillow, watching me. Ziva, on the other hand, drove me completely bananas this morning! She would simply not shut up, kept meowing on and on and on ... she’d go sit by the door, so I let her out. She’d tinkle her bell a bit then cry to be let back in! This continued the entire morning, non-stop! With her sitting by the mallet half the time – I kept getting ideas how to quiet my morning! Very tempting! As I left, she shot out as well – Tiger Tim nearly got out, too! So I left her rolling around the newly weeded patch of dirt. I guess she’s trying to get the collar off – wonder what I’ll find when I get home?

For one thing, today is the first day the Mip Mips are left on their own. No Shadow, no Ziva, no fur-granny. They have kibbles and water, and all are eating kibbles already. I’ve been hoping for an opportunity to find if they’ll be ok without either mommy – so today is the day.

At Pick n Pay yesterday, I saw something truly despicable: in the shelf were hangers, the non-slip ones of which I would like some more. I had bought the ones I have at Makro at a reasonable price. Last time I went to that same Pick n Pay I saw them there for the first time, and the price seemed still reasonable, albeit double what I’d paid – but that was years ago. Ok, so I get some. They come in sets of three, not individually. Last time, at the till the scanned price was triple what was advertised on the shelf – it used to be illegal to charge more than the price on the shelf, but nowadays nobody bothers about legal or illegal anymore; so I didn’t buy them. Yesterday I saw how Pick n Pay deliberately tricks customers: They advertise the price as double what I’d paid years ago ... and in small letters under that they add ‘for one’! They sell only sets of three, and nowhere is there a price for a set of three! Despicable!

Back at home Ziva was waiting for me at the gate – aww, so cute! And she still had the collar on, too – that is surprising. I was sure she’d have gotten it off by now. I did, however, take it off later. There’s no reason, really, for her to wear a collar.

The Mip Mips were fine, as always Tiger Tim came running when he heard me, closely followed by Quizzy Lizzy. I carried both back inside – Tiger Tim purring happily, Lizzy not so much. She doesn’t like being interrupted when she’s investigating a quiz – like the open door and what lies beyond.

Until today, the only precaution I had taken regarding the Mip Mips fascination with the plug and cable in my lounge was to switch it off. But for some reason, this morning, I took the extra step of unplugging my Induction Plate and Steamer. Lucky coincidence, as today was the day they pulled it down – all they got was the extension. The equipment was safe. I’ve also knotted my lace curtains – it’s not a fashion statement!

Not having had any mother’s milk today, the Mip Mips were all quite hungry – all except Tiger Tim. He eventually came to eat, but didn’t eat much.

Speaking of which, I can’t decide on a name for him. Mewthos? After the character in Highlander, Methos. Wilhelm – called Willy? In which case, I’m leaning towards Daft Wullie after the Nac Mac Feegle. Not that he’s daft, but he is as endearing as Daft Wullie. Or how about No’-as-big-as-Medium-Jock-but-bigger-than-Wee-Jock Jock? I know, now I’m being silly – I’d never do that to him! Ha Ha, or rather I wouldn’t do that to myself! Jock could be an option, but that would suit a dog better than a cat, methinks. There are two famous cats on the Discworld, but he’s nothing like Greebo nor You. Neither in looks nor personality.

Actually, I think he’s still too young to get a name … he hasn’t established his personality, yet. Not so long ago he whined and cried every time he didn’t get his will, or was picked up; now he purrs. He’s also very gentle – when Quizzy Lizzy first explored forbidden territory and earned a tap on the nose, she defied me a few times before accepting my decision. Her brother, however, looked at me with such a hurt expression when I tapped him on the nose for trying to claw the wires – he needs quite a different, gentler teaching approach. He also has the strange preference for trying to catch the stick rather than the mouse on the end of the elastic. When I’m playing with one of the twins, he climbs onto the bed and paws at the stick. Being the oldest and biggest of the Mip Mips, he’s in some ways a rather gentle giant. I often call him Mip Mip Meister – I sometimes think he believes Mip Mip is his name?

Right now the Mip Mips are all drinking from mommy – who, for a change, lies reasonably still, just cleaning herself and whichever Mip Mip is in the path of her tongue. All purring up a storm! Four Mip Mips purring in time with their mother. By the time I want to sleep, they’ll have recharged their energy and will start running around like a mad mob again! Sigh.

Boring day, just housekeeping

Slept well – after spending at least half an hour plucking kittens off my bed! Over and over they came to play, claw and run. But once they stayed off the bed, I slept quite nicely, thank you very much!

The cats drove me absolutely bananas today. First, as I’m leaving, Ziva comes running – so I go back up the stairs and let her in. Off again, now Shadow comes running!

Eventually I get off, first stop: Vet. Mip Mip mousse and something against the few fleas they have. Next the plastic shop – I’m taking it leisurely and slow, looking through every shelf, maybe they have something I can use to barricade the Mip Mips again. No such luck, but I come across a stool – and immediately think of our gardener, who uses an upturned flower pot when he’s weeding. So I get that for him. They have nothing I find useful – I’m not overly fond of using plastic. Then I get to the pet shelf and see what looks like a kiddie paddle pool, but it’s actually a litter box. It’s BIG! Comes in two pieces, put together it’s very deep. Twice the size of either box I currently have. After some consideration, I decide to get it – I chose the green one. And I get the largest pet carrier they have – in blue.

Next I take an equally thorough walk through the Hypermarket. When I get to the pet aisle, I can’t resist the temptation to get a cat collar! One with a bell! Muhaa haa – I’m evil! I also get two types of kitten kibbles – time to get them off the expensive stuff. They are costing me quite a bundle! The past month, I’ve spent more on the cats and kittens than I have on myself! I also saw some sleeveless tops, so I took a variety. I don’t need much in the way of groceries, I opted for some cheeses, and some Boerewors – it’s been a while since I had lekker Boerewors (that’s a type of sausage). By the time I got home, I was quite exhausted!

Nonetheless, I still had the Mip Mip widdled throws to wash and hang and the dishes, which – after that deep cleaning on Sunday were just too much. I put the collar on Tiger Tim, who doesn’t seem to mind it in the least! It’s a bit large for him, still, but I like that he’s taking to a collar so nicely. Rose thought it was too cute when she came up for her visit.

Later I saw that he’d got his leg through the collar – it is still too big for him, so I put it on Ziva instead! Her and Shadow have been driving me absolutely bananas all day today, sitting first on one then the other side of the door meowing for me to open so they can come in, then go out, then come in – and not always together. They must think I’m their doorman! Anyway, Ziva just came slinking in with the collar giving me a look like a condemned! She appears to consider the collar punishment – good! Lets see if she’ll keep it on till tomorrow – at least if she gets it off, it won’t be lost.

At seven, I’m getting ready to unlock the gate in order to carry Shadow down – when she comes strolling along, out the door and off to Rose’s!

I’ve bought some chicken wings as well, once Shadow left, I gave one to Ziva. Maybe, if she gets her fill of bird meat, she’ll stop catching, killing and devouring them in my bedroom. Also: it looks to me like she’s pregnant again! I better make a plan to have the next lot aborted and have her sterilized. Soon, very soon!

I set up the new litter box – it’s ginormous! It takes a whole 5kg of sand to fill! But the good news: the first Mip Mip to use it was one of the twins! Finally!

Well, tonight I better get to the bedroom earlier – last night I ended up spending an hour first feeding the Mip Mips then playing with them, hoping to tire them out, and then ages of plucking them off the bed before I could finally get some sleep!

Batty - Pied Piper

At around eleven at night, a bat flew into my bedroom! I kid you not – a bat! Sadly, I wasn’t asleep, yet – only halfway there, as I was busily teaching the Mip Mips that my bed is NOT a race track! They kept running up and down and left to right across my bed with absolutely no regard for the sharp wake-up their claws brought about every time I became the ‘fun obstacle’ on their race track. So I started grabbing Mip Mips and throwing them off the bed, one after the other, over and over ... when they suddenly all turned with avid attention to the window! Ziva was sitting on the sill batting her paw at ... something which chirped like a frightened bird. So, I got up, put on the light and saw something dark fluttering around, which appeared to have got entangled in the curtains. I opened the curtains, lifted them off the floor – since whatever had come in seemed to have ended there (at least, that’s the direction all the cat-noses pointed). And out flew a bat! Since it’s too small for even a snack, Ziva just watched it for a bit, the kittens couldn’t see it from the floor as it circled the room at ceiling height ... and I sat there stunned! A bat! In my bedroom! Talk about wild goings-on! In my bedroom!

I got up, opened the curtains so it could reach the open window and then just sat and watched. Nothing else I could do. Eventually it left the bedroom, so I followed but couldn’t find it. I opened the door for it ... and Ziva shot out! And wouldn’t come back in. The bat, alas, did not find the door. It flew back into my bedroom. At one point it fell onto my pillows ... I decided to ignore it for the time being, hopefully I can find, catch and set it free tonight. Yes, I slept with a bat fluttering around my flat!

With no Ziva to meow me awake it was left to my alarm to wake me, at an acceptable time. No sign of the bat. I fed the Mip Mips – and since mommy was safely outside, didn’t have to keep watch while they ate. Expecting mommy to stay out, I left Mip Mip food in their bowls – alas, mommy came shooting in as I left for work, so there goes the Mip Mip food! I didn’t forget to know on the window to let Rose know I’m off and she can let Shadow out.

Tomorrow is my day off again. I should get to the vet again to get more Mip Mip mousse and give the CatCare Lady the formula I had bought when Ziva disappeared that time, when the Mip Mips were a week old. I certainly won’t be needing it anymore, they’re all eating the mousse and even kibbles, as well as drinking water by themselves. The twins still insist on eating off the spoon rather than lower themselves to eating out of a cat bowl, but they also help themselves to kibbles.

And from there I should get to the plastic shop, to get a cat carrier so they can get used to it being part of the furniture before the first time they get to travel in it. And have a leisurely look around what other useful things I might find there. Next to that there’s a Hyper market – well, that’s what it’s called, but it’s quite small, more like a super market in my opinion. Anyway, I can get my groceries there. And I can spend the rest of the day cleaning and hopefully some gardening.

Back at home Tiger Tim came running to greet me, as he does every day. It is quite lovely to be welcomed home. And Ziva was also by the door to tell me all about her day – as she does every day, too.

During Rose’s visits, I saw Tiger Tim sitting in the tub which was just too cute, so I took out the camera and lo and behold, he stayed for a photo! After that I took a few more Mip Mip photos – have to keep my audience happy, don’t I?

 

Isnt' this just too cute?

Both twins love playing with this mouse!

Quizzy Lizzy watching the entertainment from concealment
Yes, I know I need new socks - but right now,
 baby cat food is more essential

Interesting view!

Time for a cat nap

Did you want something? Or can I sleep now?

What you doing?

Yes, I'm trying to nap ...

... but ... what you doing?

As I write this, all Mip Mips are romping around the lounge and I need to herd them back to the bedroom, where there are less wires and electronic equipment for them to demolish. Want to know how I herd the Mip Mips? Ha! I bounce the mouse on the elastic with the bell a few times where they can hear and see it, and soon they all jump at it and follow me back into their bedroom! I feel like the Pied Piper when I do that!

To ensure they stay, I have to sit down and play for some time – Long Sleeve is doing summersaults trying to catch that mouse, while his sister decides to perch on my shoulder like a parrot to watch the entertainment. Quizzy Lizzy and Tiger Tim are fighting with each other – their favourite pastime. At one point even Ziva joins in playing with the mouse, but then one of the fighters mewls and she goes to investigate. It’s nearly twenty minutes before I can get back to writing – but playing with the kittens is such a pleasure!

There’s been no sight of the bat so far, I’m glad to say. I hope it’s found its way out!

While I’m trying to cook my dinner, Ziva is being her usual pest – I’m afraid it’s easier to give her a treat than to put up with her non-stop meowing! Yeah, I know, I’m a sucker!

Well, hopefully I’ll get an actual night’s sleep tonight! Hold thumbs!

Just another Manic Monday

Mip Mips were romping in the wee hours of the morning, Ziva tried to make me open the door for her – I woke up, but steadfastly ignored the lot! I did, however, turn onto my back – and when I woke up again around six, I looked straight into Tiger Tim, who had settled on my chest to watch me sleep!

Due to the interruptions, I did not get enough sleep. So I was quite late leaving – so late, that Shadow came running in when I opened the door to let Ziva back inside! Rose had – understandably – assumed, that I forgot to knock as I left. She actually left the same time I finally got going, so I told her that Shadow was inside while Ziva was out. Ziva expected me to go back upstairs and let her in – sorry, I’m NOT your servant! So I left her sitting on the path behind the gate giving me her ‘forlorn and abandoned’ look as I drove off.

At work I confess I’m dragging my feet. I have almost no energy and the heat today isn’t helping matters. The weather is really mixed up: One week summer, one week winter.

I’ve had another chat with the site manager about my future. Nobody knows what’s happening after Easter, some not even up to Easter next year. We think East London could have the first activities anytime from August, so, if I want to go to Germany, I should do that before August. May would be too soon – as there is a chance this project extends a bit longer than currently planned and if I’m unavailable when I’m wanted for East London, I could loose the contract altogether. I should also discuss with my boss what his plans are for me. Although, in my experience, that has always been futile – he always just says “We’ll have to see when the time comes.”

Back at home our gardener has been very busy. He’s cleared not only the path of weeds, but also continued working along the opposite side of the path. He’s doing his best to save what can be saved of the grass. I fear that may be a futile effort, though it does look much nicer than the carpet of weeds – so I pretty much leave him to do what he feels is needed. He also cut up the branches I had stuffed into the drum – making room for plenty more! So, if it isn’t raining on Wednesday, I can try to clear some more sunshine for the Aloes.

Rose came up for her daily visit and we tried playing with the Mip Mips, but they were more interested in causing havoc in my library! Pulling out books at random – or maybe not so random, as they focused mainly on Al-Anon literature! I suppose it’s a good thing they want to understand how to detach with love from my alcoholism – after all, sober or not, I’m still an alcoholic.

Afterwards I climbed into the chores – there are still two loads of laundry (courtesy of the cat colony). The feather bed cover got some blood on it from one of the pigeons, so I first did a cold wash followed by a wash-and-dry cycle which will take most of the night. Took out the garbage, made my lunch, cooked dinner, blah blah.

I’d noticed some of the photos yesterday came out rather large – original size – for some reason, so I fixed that. Some photos also showed up twice – I hope I removed all duplicates. But then again, the kittens are so cute, I’m sure nobody minds seeing the same photo twice.

With everything done and dusted, I’m going to try for an early night – catch up on my missing sleep.

Cleaning the pigeon mortuary

Some more upsetting dreams about Mip Mips dying and Ziva severely burning her face. No clue where this is coming from – but it makes for a restless night.

Managed to get the shopping done, though I didn’t get much. My mind was mostly on trying to come up with some means of a barrier to keep the Mip Mips out of the lounge and kitchen. They’ve practically destroyed the shelf-back I’d been using.

I forgot the mention that I collected some more tomatoes, a few radishes and even a carrot from the two vegetable patches yesterday. Some of the radishes have sprouted a stem with leaves about hip-height, and right on top they’ve produced flowers. Who knows, maybe they’ll seed themselves as well.

After the shopping, I started cleaning. First I packed a way the laundry, then vacuumed the spare bedroom, put a new throw down and a litter box on top, then the food dispenser. Then I collected kittens and cats from wherever they were hiding and tossed them in the spare bedroom so I could tackle the formidable task of cleaning the main bedroom! And what a task that was! It took me three hours – with breaks, of course – to vacuum up hopefully every last feather, clear the litter corner, vacuum that as well, put down new black bags, put down some newspaper, on top of that a throw and finally the cleaned, scrubbed and re-filled the kittens sand box. Of course I also had to take the cover of the feather duvet, since one bird was devoured on the corner of it! Then I got to re-vacuum the spare bedroom – since the litter box was enthusiastically uses and lastly the bathroom. Three hours of mostly cleaning after cats! Where normally I just vacuum – now I have to deep-clean! I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up.

Feathers as far as the eye can see!

I also still have the dishes to do; I’m not in a mood to cook an elaborate meal, I’ll probably just steam some potatoes. I think I may wash just some coffee mugs and leave the rest for Wednesday.

Rose came to visit and showed me the crafts she’s making. Lovely lavender bags, some crocheted, some heart shaped felt sewn together. All decorated with either buttons with pictures on or crocheted flowers. Really quite lovely!

She also mentioned that her daughter complained that there have been no photo’s of the Mip Mips on my blog all week – I’ve been lazy, I’m afraid. It takes quite a bit of time to select, crop and compress them. But I’ll make up for that today! I took loads of photos of them playing and cavorting around the bedroom during Rose’s visit. They quite tired themselves out, and all went to sleep.

 

Quizzy Lizzy investigating the bell-ball

Long sleeve reaching for the mouse

Climbing on my legs for a better launching pad
from whence to catch the mouse

Since the ball hangs high, we play with it from up top the pole

Tiger Tim loving the climbing toy I built

So does Short-sleeve

Mommy getting attention
Looks interesting ... shall I try to get some, too?

Quizzy Lizzy walking up my leg to investigate my face

Almost close enough to touch my nose!

Having just looked out the window, we're coming back down

The two Mip Mips who are properly toilet trained
well, except for the brother watching the sister so closely

Long-sleeve taking a walk up my legs

All the Mip Mips love playing with this toy!

The twins can spend all their energy trying to catch the mouse
They are really easy to tire out :)

Tiger Tim also loves playing with the mouse!

They also love this little toy I bought

Finally caught the mouse!

There's nothing there ... but we're not called Quizzy for nothing!

Long sleeve walking up my leg

We're so cute when we're sleeping!

Stretched out by his favourite Mommy!
He prefers Shadow mostly

My legs are the Mip Mips absolute favourite climbing toy!
And I have the scratches to prove it, too :(

Eventually I put a pillow in my lap, to protect against the needle-claws

 

Ah! Mommy lying down - let's try to get a drink!

Quizzy Lizzy all tired out

We're not quite ready to sleep, yet

Just checking on me before going to sleep in my lap

Eina!

We'll catch that mouse!

I went back into the garden for a spell, the last patch by the garage is covered with flowering blackjacks – so I pulled as many of them as I could. I took some photos, haven’t had many garden photos lately, either.

Radish flowers

All year round there have been flowers - still all full of flowers!

Cornflowers blooming like crazy

It was high time for another porn photo, eh?

The second pansy!

Isn't this colouring on the sweet peas just extraordinary?

Extraordinary colouring on a Nasturtium!

At seven Rose came to collect Shadow. We agreed she’d keep her in until I’ve gone to work – I’ll knock on her window on my way. Hope I don’t forget!

I’ve spent an hour selecting, cropping and compressing photos – hope you enjoyed them!