I'm kinda smart

The other day I was vacuuming the shedding fur from Cutie’s bed as she sat by and watched me. That is when it clicked. Cat. Hairy bed. Vacuum. Cat. Hairy bed. Vacuum.

It was time to cut out the middle man.

Cutie, meet vacuum.

And here is the surprising part. This cat who is afraid of everything except for those children who carry her around, loooooved her time with the vacuum. It was like getting a brush and massage at the same time. It’s a regular kitty spa treatment. By the end she was asking me to play some soothing music and put cucumbers on her eyes.

Oh, and it worked. It worked! She is definitely less sheddy. That's right, sheddy. Try it!

.

You’re very welcome.

Oh yes we did.

That will be the answer to David’s response when he sees this...




I know, I know. We made a cat cake for a cat who can’t eat cake. But today is Cutie’s 1st birthday. She was abandoned by her mom at 3 weeks old and left on our deck. She was curled up in a ball about the size of a small orange. She has been ours ever since. Most everyone in this family adores her.

And David is coming around.

She is sweet and calm and lets the kids hold her any way they want. They dress her in clothes, they push her in doll strollers, they make her dance. She can do the sprinkler and the running man. All while she continues to gaze lovingly into their eyes.

She smells like fabric softener because she spends most of her time in the laundry room. That is where she has toys and treats and a bed that is prettier than mine.

She has brought joy to this home, and we think she deserves a birthday celebration. And even though David called us “out of control” (harsh, right?) after the kids bought her a couple of gifts at Petsmart last night, I know deep down he thinks she deserves a celebration, too. I mean, look at her…who wouldn’t?

Escape

Panic ensued a few nights ago when someone realized that our cat, Cutie, wasn’t in her room. Everyone knew she had been left in the mudroom, WHERE COULD SHE BE? You have to realize that my children treat this cat like she is an infant. They cuddle her, talk baby talk to her, dress her in doll clothes, knock each other down to get to her first. I swear her feet never touch the ground because she is always in someone’s arms. Oh, she is a princess. She seems to eat it up most of the time. But even a princess can be over-coddled. And now she was missing. These kids were like a crazed mother who had misplaced her child at a kidnapper convention.

And then we saw her.

We aren’t sure how she got up that high. But God bless her, she found a place of refuge. A place where no one could get to her. A peaceful spot of her own. I swear she was smiling. I’ve got to admit, I was relieved for her. And possibly a little jealous.

Congratulations Cutie, we’re playin’ on your terms now.

But don’t think you can keep them from stalking you.

some of my favorite pics from 2007

Tyler getting hugs

Having a cookie at the mall

After david's grandfather's funeral, over 20 of us packed the coffee house he visited daily

Taryn and Riley on Christmas Eve



Terrified Cole being rescued from a tree by his sweet friend






Cole waiting to go into the soccer game




Riley in her kitty pajamas holding Cutie




Garrett hanging out with a buddy. Why talk when you can text?




Happy Halloween!

Tristan, Garrett and Tyler in midair

David and the kids camping outside Walmart for 18 (yes 18) hours to get their wii

Riley learning to ride without training wheels. Who wouldn't succeed with that kind of support?

This is the position Cole stayed in the entire time the hibachi chef prepared our food with flying knives and flames

Garrett flying through the air, on a sled, off an embankment

Dancing with Kaitlyn

Abusing hotel beds

3-week-old Cutie meets the guinea pigs

Garrett and Cutie on the day we found her

Riley after her dance recital

Garrett attacking our snowman

Bowling

Outdoor science observations

Cole's PE teachers called his often-worn red headband "the powerband"

Playing dress-up at a friend's house

Tiny Cutie

Taryn and Riley at the mall with their little friends, Trinity and Kaitlyn. They take them everywhere!