South Carolina, Here We Come!

     Well, this is it.  This'll be my last official post from this neck of the woods.  I just read all your comments on my Christmas treats post, and I thank you all for sharing and appreciate your well-wishes. Dad says it's good to know there are others out there like him.  Probably be his excuse for snacking more now.
     The modem goes back today, and mom will pretty much have the whole place packed up by the time dad gets home.  It's gonna be a busy night.  I hope they maintain their level of cool that they do when they move (riiiight).  I'll be hiding wherever I can find a spot.  Even though I know what's going on I still get nervous.  I don't much care for disruptions.   
     We'll have a few days over the Christmas holiday to get settled, and hopefully I'll be back here within a few days.  The weather's about the same where we're going, but I think I heard we're supposed to be on the second floor, which means there will be more open windows for me to sit in and watch the goings-on.  

     I hope the holidays are fun for all of you, and in case I can't get back before then, have a safe and Happy New Year!!!
     

Christmas Treats

Well, here we go again.  Dad's been in the Christmas cookies at work, even though he's been working hard (bull) to maintain his awesomely youthful physique (more bull) and well-toned muscular structure (no idea where THAT came from!).  Last week one of the women he works with made some delicious cookies for everyone, and dad struggled throughout the day to keep from opening the box before he got home, where he knew he'd have to share them with mom.
     The other night mom and dad went to a party at work, where there were more cookies.  They both pretty much behaved themselves, though.  And then yesterday dad spotted a box of chocolate-covered cherries on a desk and couldn't help himself. He only ate one.  Okay, maybe it was two.  I think he told mom he only had one, so we'll just leave it at that.  Mom says dad's like a kid in a candy store, and she has to watch him like a child.   Dad just laughs.  And then he'll sit there and rub his stomach and bitch about his weight.
     

Getting Closer

Just checking in.  We're down to less than a week before we head out to our new place.  Dad's got 5 days left at his job, and although he hates uprooting and starting over, he says he's looking forward to the challenges ahead of him. I think he's getting in over his head, but I also know he's gotten to a point where he says it's time to go.  Mom's got the place turned upside-down.  Not in a messy way, of course.  She's been spending every day while dad's at work, organizing and packing, and we're living amongst piles of boxes.  She's been taking care of lining up things on the other end so that once we're down there everything will fall into place.  We're actually heading out on Christmas Eve day, first thing in the morning (as long as dad's got the truck packed and ready).  I'd offer to help, but I think I'd just end up getting in the way.  Plus, I don't really feel like it.    

Road Trip!

     Well, it's been more than a week since my last post.  Lots going on around here.  Looks like we're moving again.  I guess we'll be going even FURTHER south.  Dad's accepted a job down around Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and we'll be moving sometime around Christmas Day.  What ARE they- CRAZY?!  Actually, mom says it'll probably be a quiet day on the road, since most normal people will be in nice warm, cozy homes, celebrating the holiday.  Will we?  Nooooo!  What'll we be doing?  Driving for five and a half f*#@%ing hours!
     Just when I get settled in here, and get my routine down pat, WHAM!  Here we go again.  Damn it!  Okay, a little dramatic there.  In all honesty, aside from the stress of a ride in a vehicle and getting used to another home, it doesn't mean much to me.  I hear it's a bigger place, which means more room to explore, and more windows than what we have here.  Dad will be a crew of one, so hopefully he won't come home bitching all the time.  Sometimes it gets annoying.  Sorry dad.  Just saying. 
      Mom and dad got a sneak peek at Hilton Head Island last weekend, and enjoyed what they saw.  They've been talking for some time now about wanting to visit Savannah, GA as well, and this move will have them less than an hour away.  I'll try to get in a last post or two before we actually move, and there may be a slight break between here and getting settled down there, but I'll be back once we find an internet provider that doesn't want an arm, leg, tail, first born, and half a million dollars.

Awww, Ain't I Cute

This is one of my more recent habits.  I've developed this thing with hiding my face when I lay on mom or dad's lap.  Even I'm not sure why I do it.  It's a comfort thing, they say.  They wonder how I can breath, but I have no problem.  Sometimes I make them laugh as I burrow my face, wiggling my head side to side, pressing hard into their belly. Now this one over here, I can't even explain.  I know cats come with their own insulation, but what cat can't resist a soft, warm blanket to cover up with? I'm telling you, once that thing's pulled up around me I curl up those paws, close my eyes, start drooling, and I'm out!

They're Baaack!

     Well, apparently these guys haven't learned their lesson.  These shots are from the third day in a row that they found themselves unable to get out of the dumpster.  Judging by the tattered and torn garbage bags that are scattered throughout the

 dumpster they've been having themselves quite a feast!  This one over here got himself into some discarded white paint.  Someone had tossed a mostly-empty paint bucket liner against the side of the dumpster, and dad first saw the sliding paw marks up the side from where the paint was spilled.  And then he looked off toward the other end and saw the white-pawed one and laughed.  Soon after dad got these pictures he opened the back of the dumpster again, and they hurried off into the woods.  I'll be curious to see if they drop in again today.

What Exercise?

     I hate to be a snitch (no I don't), but there was no working out yesterday by anyone, unless you consider addressing Christmas envelopes and packaging gifts exercise.  Oh, and dad returned a redbox movie.  And heated up some of Saturday's leftovers.  And signed some cards.  Okay, I guess they kind of worked out.
     On a different front, the battle of the rocker continues.  No matter where I'm sleeping, as soon as I see, or even hear mom getting up from her chair I lunge for it.  It's especially comfortable when mom's butt has warmed it for me.  Yesterday dad laughed heartily when I hopped out of his lap and aimed for the rocker, only to find mom racing me back to it.  I stood my ground, sandwiched between the arm of the chair and mom's thigh, refusing to acknowledge defeat.
     Sometimes I find their laughter offensive, but most times I tell myself that they're just two crazy humans that refuse to cater to my every whim and give in to the realization that I am in full control here.
     Sorry, mom and dad, but you know I'm right.  Oh shit, dad just put his book down and is heading this way.  Bye.

     

Free Raccoons And Dad's Dietary Transgressions

     Don't worry, all.  There was a door on the back end of the dumpster, and one of dad's co-workers opened it, allowing the little guys to slip out and into the woods safely.

     Mom and dad went to dad's aunt and uncle's last night for dinner, and came back about ten pounds bigger (well dad did, anyway).  I swear, sometimes these two are more like mother and son!  Dad cannot be trusted when it comes to food.  Especially sweets.  They'd made something they called red velvet cake balls, from a recipe dad got from the lady with the "bah humbug"-shirt cat, and took some on a plate with them (they left about eight of them on a tray in the fridge).  They (dad) gorged themselves (himself) on pierogies, sauerkraut, kielbasa and wine, and rounded out the night with a slice of rich, moist gingerbread topped with french vanilla ice cream and one of the cake balls each.
     All were full and drowsy, and after making their way to the overstuffed living room furniture facing the glowing fireplace dad's aunt brought out a huge glass jar full of coconut m+ms.  Of course, she set it down on the table right in front of dad, and he couldn't keep his hand out of the jar.  Mom tried pushing it away, but that didn't deter dad.  Needless to say, dad got plenty of glares from mom, and a stern lecture on not wanting to hear him bitching about his weight after his behavior with the candy.  And then they sent some home with mom and dad.  Along with some leftovers from dinner.  It's going to be a good day around here.  
     I have a feeling mom's going to drag dad off to work out with her.

Dumpster Divers Trapped

     When dad went to work yesterday morning he walked by a roll-off dumpster and thought he heard a noise.  he climbed up to peer over the edge of the dumpster and this is what he found inside.  These poor guys must've climbed in or dropped in from an overhanging tree right over the dumpster, and, after feasting on the contents of garbage bags up at the other end couldn't get themselves out.  They must've camped out for the night on that piece of cardboard, and the four of them were all wrapped up in a tight ball when dad first saw them.  If you look closely at the bottom picture you can see a fifth one (the mom, maybe?) way up at the other end on top of a garbage bag.