Christmas at Casa de Gato

This is going to be a fun and photo intensive post.. I hope you don't mind..

I'd like to start out with my Secret Paws gift.  Cat bloggers get together and draw names and I've participated for a few years now.  This year my secret Santa was Stacy from Ms. Stella O Houligan's blog. She contacted me and asked me for an Amazon wish list to make things a bit easier, and I filled it up with things for the foster kittens and a couple of things for Jack... I guess I had Jack on the brain as The Crew would like me to remind you there are seven of them in total and that Muffin is just as deserving of fun things.. (MUFFIN! get off my blog)

Amazon.. you have to love them.. nice big boxes for small items and lots of brown paper for playing with.

See that long box in the middle there, all that was in there was that wand toy.. :) It was really nice to be able to restock the kitten room. Donations to the shelter are so slow this time of year and I generally have to scrounge for good things.

I also got some lovely gifts from friends.. Amy over at Seabasscat.com baked for me!!  YAY!!

JACK! those are human treats!!  back off!  The wonderful Lisa over at A Tonk's Tail.. or more accurately Faraday from A Tonk's Tail (according to the card sent with the gift) also sent me a gift that made me laugh and smile.

Then there was the annual dressing of the kitties for Christmas.. I adore clothes on cats, but I totally respect the cats in their willingness to put up with me. Eli is 12 years old and this is the first time I have even attempted to put something on him... he has come such a long way

Yes, there was bribery involved.. a lot of it.. I like to make it worth their while. Jack volunteered from the wrong side of the door that if Eli wasn't being co-operative he'd happily step in..

Seriously, that boy will do ANYTHING for food.. and love and attention.. he's "freakin awesome'. Muff and Fleurp are also highly food motivated so it went fairly well.. and it made me smile.

I did go down and tried out a few outfits on the kittens.. but we are all ready pretty photo intensive at this point, so I guess we are going to have a part two.

My trip to Kansas. Day Four

This day started like every other.. with Amy's cats waiting for me to come up from the basement. I don't know why this amused me, but it totally did.

We took NAC Yaz out for a run in the back yard.

and Amy took me out to the area of her yard that she has set aside as a memorial for Sebastian
.

Our plans for this day was a tour around the Hallmark headquarters that Lisa works at and then a meeting up with some women who volunteer at the local shelters to watch "The Paw Project". We drove down to Crown Plaza, a shopping mall which is part of the Hallmark complex and then went to the Hallmark Visitors Center. It was really nice to have someone who knows so much of the history of Hallmark being the guide.

In the Mall.
Did you really think I'd get through a trip to Kansas with out a Dorothy reference?

Lisa's office and two of her many many awards

We then went out for lunch.. it was yummy.  We did a little shopping where I picked up a few souvenirs and gifts

We then headed over to Lisa's house to watch the show.. and I fell in love with her kitties all over again

and then we went back to Amy's where I fell in love all over again with Harvey and Lowenstein.. (yup, I'm so fickle)

The next day was a pure travel day.. Despite a big storm brewing over home, there were no delays and I got home at a decent hour. Of course as soon as I got off the plane we went right over to the e-clinic to pick Jack up and bring him home. In the short time we were there the truck got completely covered with snow, and the drive home was a little tricky.

I am totally scared to leave home again, as I can not help but wonder if the stress of my leaving caused problems with Jack causing him such trouble. If I weren't so afraid, I would totally visit Amy and Lisa again in a heart beat - not that I have been invited.  They were so warm and gracious and it was an absolute blessing to be there. I have bought a ticket to Barkworld this October and look forward to meeting up with both of them there - that is if I can get over my fear of leaving Jack..

My trip to Kansas, Day Two: Part Two

So, as we left things, I was at Lisa's house fangirling over her kitties.. because... kitties!!

No I mean seriously.. although when Lisa brought out the cat toy I not only found myself wishing I had a better flash, but that I had a better camera.. You know those super professional ones that they use on the side lines of football..

Now you are just being silly

Isn't that the point?

All too soon play time was over and we were headed back to Amy's house.. where Dottie got her photo taken..

NAC* Dottie.. 

and I attempted to get some good photos of  Evelyn

What are you talking about woman.. I ALWAYS look good.. 

and Harvey Monster explored the new cat tree..

I so want to inverse this photo and make Harvey "Ceiling Cat"
but who has a carpeted ceiling??

And about this time Lee (Amy's Husband) stated "You sure do take a lot of photos".. well yeah.. I do..

I think this is my favorite of the trip... mostly because it is VERY Amy with out Amy being in the photo..

I think this is enough for now.. I can't believe there is going to be a part three!!
*NAC = not a cat