Riley

I want to thank everyone who asked about Riley and sent their prayers and well-wishes. He wasn't doing very good for a while but after about four days on his antibiotics he started coming back to normal - after being sick for about 1 1/2 weeks he started becoming himself again. I felt so bad for him. Never saw him like that - he's a tough guy normally. Anyway - he's back to his crazy self making me laugh and just being my big boy! Here are some pics of him in no particular order during the past few weeks:

Here are he and Jonesy socking up the sunbeams in the hooking room - You can often find them napping together - they have become such good friends.

Jonesy is sure happy to have Riley back to roughhouse with (What am I going to do when Jonesy gets bigger and I have these two big lugs rolling around the house - nothing will be left standing I'm sure!)

Another day in sunbeams - now how can his head hanging over the cushion be comfortable?

Riley has taken to sleeping atop my pie safe where I keep my wools to be dyed. So i put an old quilt up there to be more comfortable and moved the old baskets I had up there! The things we do for our kitties. Often Jonesy can be found up there with him - he jumps from the daybed to get up there - Riley takes the short cut and jumps from the floor.

This was taken this afternoon - I was working on the laptop and thought - wow it was quiet - found Riley up here sound asleep - Jonesy in another spot sound asleep and same with Miles! Rough life I tell you.

Here's a pic of Riley when he wasn't feeling so good - What you don't see is Jonesy on the other side of the blanket keeping his eye on Riley - when Riley was sick - Jonesy was so good staying close but not bothering him.

Another nap -

Guess I disturbed him with the camera -

Ahhhh - sunbeams and naps - what more could a tiger want?

Playing in the basement -

Lots to Catch Up On

Okay - been told I've been a slacker so will try to update everything for the past few weeks. I will do it in several posts and of course lots of pictures. I've also been slacking on keeping up with reading every one's blogs and hope to get caught up on them this coming weekend since I have plans all week. Tomorrow will be meeting up with my friend Kathy - she's coming out Lancaster way from Shippensburg and will drag her around to some of my favorite haunts for junk shopping! Hopefully we can find her a good deal on floss like I got (60 skeins for $0.97 cents) Love thrift shopping for craft items!

Okay - hope everyone enjoys the photos for the kitties and my crafting I have been doing the past few weeks.

Happy Fourth of July!

Good Afternoon - Hope everyone is enjoying their Holiday today!

Quiet day here today - wanted to stay home and keep an eye on Riley - We are still waiting for some good results in the litter box but the good thing is he is going just a little bit at a time. He even ate last nite and this morning without throwing up which is a good sign. He's a bugger to get the medicine in him and I get the hairy eyeball from him whenever I come near him until he realizes I have nothing in my hands! He and the little guy are napping right now - hope all he needs is some rest and hoping he'll be back to all his antics soon! I'll say it again - I miss my crazy tiger!

Just got done making a few things and among them, a Creamsicle Cake. Thought I'd share the recipe with you all. It's so easy and if you like creamsicles, you'll like this. It's a great summertime cake. Hope everyone is enjoying their day!


CREAMSICLE CAKE

1 Duncan Hines Orange Cake Mix(Eggs, Oil, Water)
1 Box Orange Jello
1 Box Instant Vanilla Pudding
1 ½ Containers Cool Whip
1 Tsp Orange Extract
1 Tsp Vanilla
1 Cup Milk

Prepare cake mix according to directions on box and bake.

Cook cake slightly and poke holes in top of cake.

When cake is cool – pour 1 box orange Jello mixed with 1 cup hot water into holes.
Make “icing” – Mix 1 box vanilla instant pudding with 1 cup milk, 1 tsp orange extract and 1 tsp vanilla and stir in 1 ½ containers cool whip.

Ice cake. Keep refrigerated.

A Day in Jonesy's Life

Jonesy here - Mom is busy "watching" Riley so I thought I would tell you about my day.

Here is Miles - guess what he did today - can you guess? Well he licked my head! Yep - Mr. Grumpypants actually licked my head - I took that as a sign he likes me - but a few minutes later he was spitting and hissing at me! Go figure! I'll keep trying though - I'm gonna win him over iffen it takes me 100 years!


Riley is watching Dad mow the lawn. He just barfed all over the hallway that's why he looks a little green here. Mom got upset - not at Riley but just cause he's not feeling good. She keeps hugging and kissing him and I have to run over to get some of that hug too!

Well usually me and Riley play but he doesn't feel so good so I have to amuse myself for awhile. First, I helped Mom bring up the laundry and fold it and put it away - yep I'm a big help - and then Mom found a fish under the bed (along with something she called dust bunnies - don't know why she didn't give me the bunnies to play with).

Ooooh this darn pillow ate my fish....

Thought you might want a look at my "racing stripes"!

Riley came in to where I was playing wanted to take a nap - Mom said he needed to rest so she gave us both lots of cuddles, kisses and pets - I love to fall asleep in Mom's arms...

Thought I would give Mom a break so she could run to the grocery store so I decided I would keep my eyes on Riley...

After Riley's nap - Mom decided he needed to drink some water... Man he's so spoiled - he gets to throw water around and she doesn't even yell at him...

I'm leaving, darn - I'm just too little to jump up that far on the counter... darn, darn, darn... You wait Riley - I'll be big enough in a few days...

Ooohhh - Here comes Miles.....hehehehehehe sneak attack...

Hey What's Riley doing in my spot - it took me a week to get that spot just right....

Guess I'll have to watch him from here...

I think it's time for bed - I'm getting very sleepy - I've a long day today...

Good Nite

Well it's not been the best week but not the worst either. Guess that's life - full of ups and downs.
Yesterday was Miles 16th birthday - So many changes since I adopted him at 4 months old back in 1993. At the time, I wasn't married yet, Sid and Nicky were still alive and only 4 1/2 years old at the time. One of the guys I worked with breeds, raises, and sells Abysinnians. So one day after lunch he calls me to his office and there on his desk was this tiny ruddy colored Abby! He said he's yours! I was over the moon for sure! I feel in love with him the moment I picked him up - he's very affectionate and was just such a clown. Miles' paw pads almost work independently of each other so it's almost like he has fingers, and with that he gives you the best massages. He just took over when I brought him home. Sid and he didn't really hit it off but they tolerated each other, but Miles just loved Nicky - I have so many pics of the two of them curled up together (before digital and I don't have a scanner!). So when I lost Nicky I thought he would enjoy another kitty around so that's why we adopted Riley - well it's been three years and he still hisses and spits at Riley - and now Jonesy - Well at least he still loves us and we love him to pieces. Anyway - the past 16 years has been so much fun with Miles in it! He doesn't play like he used to a few years ago due to arthritis and has aged considerably in the past year or so but that doesn't stop him from giving us hugs and us returning the favor.

Happy Birthday Miles!

Well this weekend I noticed Riley seems "downed" and wasn't really into playing with Jonesy or anything.

Monday same

Tuesday I noticed he stopped eating so Wednesday morning I called the vet and got an afternoon appointment. Does anyone else have the trauma we always seem to with "going to the vet" - Geez - even though my big guy didn't feel very good he was a fighter trying to get him into his carrier. It took me over 15 minutes of pure torture for the both of us - he's so damn strong! I got in the car and was crying at that point as I felt so bad for having to put him thru all that - and noticed my face was bleeding - Oh my - with him rouching and wriggling he cut a small gash above my lip and also my neck has welts from scratch marks! Well we get to the vet and they apparently were dealing with 3 emergencies and we had to wait about an hour to see the doc. The vet examined him and determined he wasn't blocked but took urine from has bladder via a needle to test and then said they would give him fluids and Riley could stay overnite and they could monitor him to see if he could "go" or give him fluids and then send him home with me to watch and bring him back today if he hadn't gone. Well at that point Riley stood on his hind paws and put his front paws around my neck - Well the vet and I both laughed and said "Guess he's coming home" - I would have done that anyway as he hates being alone. So they took him in the back again and injected fluids into him- he came back to me looking like a camel with a hump! We waited another 1/2 hour and the tests came back and he had a lot of bacteria in his urine. So we went home with antibiotics. I've been watching him and following him to the litter box - poor guy - no privacy - he's gone a little at the time so that's a plus. He and Jonesy actually engaged in some roughhousing which I take as a good sign. I just wish he would eat - Oh and I wish he would just take his medicine without a fight - that's a whole another story where I'm wearing battle scars from. Right now he's sleeping so I can only hope he's one the mend. I want my crazy tiger back!

On Tuesday I had made plans to meet Sharon at the Kutztown Folk Festival . Lots of food and crafts and lore about the PA Dutch. The crafts were okay - I was kinda disappointed - there was just too many of the same crafts that looked like ones from back in the 80's so to speak. They had a quilt barn too with tons of quilts which were nice to look at. Of course there is plenty of food and Sharon had her first funnel cake! I do believe she enjoyed it and for those of you that know Sharon I did ask her if she thought it should have been drizzled with chocolate too. It was a nice day - had a quick downpour and the sun came back out. Neither of us actually bought anything except a small piece of jewelry - image that !

Hey Kathy - even though this this little guy on the left has black spots...

He's not one of these!

Just had to tease Kathy a little bit there!

So that's been my week. Jonesy of course has been the comic relief all week - He's so full of energy and fun and still just so happy all the time. I think he even sensed Riley wasn't feeling well and would go over to where Riley is sleeping and give him a nudge and then off he'd go to play on his own. Such a good guy. I am finding he loves to chew - the book I'm reading has little teeth marks in the corner and you have to watch out for your toes and fingers. Kitten teeth are very very sharp!

But really - how can this little guy do anything wrong! LOL

Oh and he's still eating everything in sight and notice - he's not the neatest of eaters!

He's also still tossing my wool around

He helps me fold laundry too.

Here's a pic from Monday nite when Riley was not feeling so well- Maybe Jonesy was trying to keep him warm - I find them both irresistable!

Hope everyone is having a great week and no drama! Off to check on my patient...

Laid Back Weekend

Well it's hard to believe it's Sunday, let alone the end of June this week! Time sure is flying by. Haven't gotten anything creative done this weekend yet - seems I've been busy doing nothing except playing with Jonesy - he sure does love to play and tears around the house at full speed. If their was radar in the hallways - that boy sure would be getting ticketed!

Yesterday did some fun errands (yea right) Had to go to the pet store and stock up on cat food as Jonesy is eating us out of house and home - he's so darn funny - he'll go into the kitchen and sit by his bowl and meow in this tiny little "meow voice" - his face is just so funny you just have to scoop him up and hug him - then break down and put out more food! Then it was to the grocery store for people food and the most pleasant (gag) was to the phone store for a new cell phone for my husband! While I was out my BIL and SIL stopped over to see Jonesy - They wanted to take him home of course but my husband informed them they would be hunted down and tortured by me! hahahahaha. They haven't seen Riley for a bit and couldn't believe what a big boy he has become too. The rest of the day and today have been spent trying to get started on some hooking but it's really hard with a little kitten hanging off your linen! So i gave up!

Anyway I got a good nights sleep for a change last nite - I think the little guy is starting to know what it means when the lights go out!

Yesterday Miles didn't have such a good day - he wasn't feeling well and to put it bluntly, had a few complete barfarma's, and his hip was really bothering him.


Miles will be 16 this week on July 1st. Even though we call him grumblebunny with Riley and Jonesy he really is a wonderful kitty - he was the biggest clown up until a few years ago when he started slowing down. He is always there to give you a hug and massage you with his paw pads and so friendly with people - he just doesn't care for the 4-legged ones. He could make me laugh at his antics like no other cat I have had. I just love this guy to pieces. Anyway - we put on his heating pad all day and nite for him to get some relief and he seems much better today.

Hmmm, could the boys be looking at the neighbors female cat?

Hey guys, get a load at her stripes!


I'm watching you!

Around midnite last nite there was a bunch of rumbling between all the bedrooms sounding like there was a herd of elephants in the house - when it quieted down i came upstairs and there by the door to the hooking room I found Riley and inside the door I found Jonesy - Guess it was "time out" - Too funny

Hmmm, now why do I keep finding these piles of my wool on the floor all over the place?


Oooh ask me - I know, I know!

Hey Mom - can you please turn off the light - I need my beauty sleep you know!

Isn't it amazing at how just a kitten belly can bring a smile! Have a wonderful day!

Two Weeks of Fun Fun Fun....

Well it's been exactly two weeks since Jonesy has come to live with us. He is certainly part of the family and we never realized what fun we were missing without him! He's been such a good kitten and such a happy go lucky little guy. If you go out - the minute he hears a key in the door he's flying down the steps to greet you. He just loves to purr and loves to play. If he wants to be held he stands at your feet and "chirps". Really - it's a chirping sound. Also if he enters a room and you don't realize you are there he starts chirping to let you know he's there! He's just a funny guy!

I was away for a few days and on Thursday morning when i got home I couldn't believe how big he looked to me! He's really growing fast - I'm thinking he's going to be a big boy with the size of his paws! Who knows though. I'll keep him anyway!

Seems the only time I can get picks of him is when he's sleeping or eating. And boy does he eat - and eat - and eat - and eat some more! There is little puffs of smoke all over the house (just like the roadrunner leaves) he's forever buzzing all over the place. Wish I had an ounce of his energy.

Psst - Hey Jonesy, Mom needs up to take over on the laptop - she has to go do wash or something...

Uh oh - outta the way Jonesy - Guess I don't know my own strength!

Oh finally a sunbeam - gotta soak it up when we can - the sun is a rare sighting these days...

Isn't it convenient Dad put this piece of cardboard on the plant - makes a good bed when there are sunbeams and keeps the dirt off my paws. I can't image any other reason why he would put it here - can you?

Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - Where'd the sun go?

OMG Miles - look at that - he's eating AGAIN! He's going to look like a water bed with a head soon!

Well I'm off to take a nap...

Oh yea - I really need a nap...

Isn't a pile of wool just the bestest to sleep in?

Hey how'd he get in that rack?

I don't get it - this doesn't seem so comfortable...

Kiss, Kiss...

Just got done fishing with Dad - it's exhausting work...

Time for my energy bar...

Time for second breakfasties....

Bathtime again...

I'm not really sleeping, I'm just resting my eyes...

Okay okay - maybe I was sleeping...

Me and Riley "resting" our eyes again...

Riley makes the bestest pillow - he's so round and soft!

Uh oh - busted - I think Miles found Dad's beer stash...

Okay off to find me some food - it's been a WHOLE FIVE MINUTES since I've eaten! I'm a growing boy you know!