The Beginning

Hi All, and I'm not sure who that might be since I haven't shared this brand new hot-off-the-press-site with many people. It's brand new for me to be on the blogging end of a blog. I love Andy and Lisa's blog and have gratefully followed it for years; when your children live that far away, as in, Aggies in Alaska, you are grateful for each and every word, picture and video from them. Andy started a good thing and people he doesn't even know sometimes fuss at him when he is slow to post an entry.

I'm pretty sure that will not be the case with people who read my blog, but I hope it will bring you a smile and that you will be compelled to send me a post in return. Let me begin this post.....hmmm, question #1, is this a post or a blog. Sorry, still learning!

Last week-end I picked up my two little kittens. They are beautiful and so much fun. Those of you who know Tom, one of my adopted children (son-in-law), has been living with us since June would also know that he is NOT a cat person. Never has, and never will be, much to the disappointment of his daughters, Rae and Liv. However, I knew he would be leaving us this month and had not intended on getting the kittens until November. Somehow my mind was changed so now Tom has been in the same house as....DREAD...kittens since Saturday and he doesn't leave us until Saturday, the 25th. What has happened in the interim might even excite Rae, Liv and even Christin! He is smitten with the kittens. When someone shows me how, later this evening, I will post pictures of said adopted child petting and even talking kitty talk to the girls. They love it and return the favor with purrs that sound like an idlying Mercedes! This morning he was seen patting Orio (pronounced like Oreo like the cookie) because she had chosen his briefcase as her bed. After several heart-felt pets he told her he didn't need the briefcase today anyway and that she should stay and enjoy it. Then he came over to the couch to pat Poca (short for Pocahontas) and tell her good-bye. Christin, are you reading this!? I know, he probably knows he is leaving soon and so why not go all out, but all that petting has not produced one single allergy moment. There may be hope after all!

Now, back to the kittens; Oriella (Orio) was born Aug 6th and Pocahontas was born on Aug 19th. They are Siberian cats and look very similar to our beloved cat, Sadie, who was a Norwegian Forest cat. Actually Siberians are considered forest cats as well because they originated in the forest of Eastern Siberia. They are a fascinating breed and one Sam and I both love. They are more dog-like thanj cat, meaning they aren't as independent as most cats. They are very talkative (they actually chirp) loving, clingy lap cats, and obey commands such as come, no, sit and whatever else they are taught. We used to tell Sadie when it was time to go to bed and she would head upstairs grumping the entire way. They are very regal looking and extremely muscular as adults, weighing between 18 and 20 lbs. Sam and I are both looking forward to watching the transition from kittenhood to adulthood in the coming months.

I wanted two kittens so they could play together and become great pals. They are already that if their chasing, jumping, bumping,and sleeping together is an indication. They have been together, with their siblings, since birth so there was no need to bond. I think they miss their litter mates but already seem to be very well adjusted to life her at the Brown house. They started in our bedroom and I stayed with them most of the time Saturday and Sunday. On Monday we ventured downstairs to the kitchen and family room. Lots of exploring insued. On Tuesday they had their first admiring public as friends came over for lunch and to meet the new members of the household. Later that day they were allowed to explore the living room for a short while I taught one lesson. Okay, I did get a little concerned when Poca made her way behind the Steinway and there was no room to turn around; she made it though and I didn't have to move the piano out to rescue her.

Yesterday they finally had the run of the entire downstairs and loved running all around the dining room, living room, family room and kitchen circle. Then they started ripping up and down the stairs and bounding up and down the hall. We could hear the pounding of little feet when we were sitting in the kitchen! Trust me that's huge because they only weigh 2 1/2 lbs each!The "last frontier" will be the basement. There is way too much to get into so that might take a while and a little more maturity.

I hope you will check back for pictures and then complain when I take too long to post more. As soon as Tom shows me how to do that I have many to share and even a video, but that might require more knowhow than I can muster in one afternoon!