lBy Sweetie, frustrated blogger

Dear friends.  You'll never believe what happened! Grammy, our scribe, you know... the slacker who types our blogs Tuesdays instead of our requisite Monday, has really done it this time. 

I just spent all day dictating the blog...   and I must say, it was a good one.  T is For...  was Terrific, Timely and a Tummy Tickler.  We finally finished it,  she saved it and I asked her to add my profile photo and a few other pictures. 

What does she do?  She puts Etude's photo up.  How could she mistake me for that chubby fellow?  Huh?  Really!  How could she be that dumb?  Then to top it off when she deleted the photo she ended up deleting the whole blog.  Unfortunately, when she tried to pull up her last saved copy she had deleted everything.  That whole beautifully dictated blog is GONE! 

​So much for our generosity doubling her salary.  So, for now... this is all you get, dear friends. a dismal apology from us.   As a consolation we will add in a few photos in a slideshow... but that doesn't make up for such a mishap.   

We are still on the lookout for a new scribe.  Please if you are interested send us your resumes and we'll consider them thoughtfully and thoroughly.

by Gentle Mousie, cuddlemuffin and concerned blogger.  

Dear friends, 
A new year is beginning and that means we have a clean slate to write upon and already it has been marred.  Yes, marred.  As you must realize, we did not post a blog yesterday.  Not from lack of trying.  The scribe, you know - Grammy... well, she slacked off.  Obviously, she has her priorities mixed up.   

Of course, I realize that is the trouble with cheap help.  So, I called the others to a meeting to discuss this issues.  We five, sweet, cuddly fluffballs, sat down and had a discussion. This is how it went.

Whiskers spoke first and suggested we ought to increase Grammy's salary after all, she does do a lot for us as it is. The old dear might be more inclined to focus on us instead of all those other things that grab her attention if we grease the wheels, so to speak.  Rondo jumped up and started to freak.  As the sole breadwinner among the quintet he wasn't keen to cough up more moula.  He felt we were already paying her too much - you know - besides the excess attention! Don't forget all those cuddles we give her and the nightly hair grooming and hand washing while she (tries to) sleeps.  And those mock battles where we pounce on Sweetie to make her squeal that drag the old dear out of bed in the wee hours.

With that, Etude piped in and suggested we might check out what the economic inflation index was for the year and proceeded to do so.  Maybe we could manage somewhere around three per cent? What do you think? That wouldn't break the bank. Rondo wasn't having any of that... he felt we needed to conserve that to pay for the extra cost of food this year - especially now that we have three main diets to consider - and in 5 variations... Weight control for Etude (wet and kibble) and himself (kibble only, please), Urinary for Mousie and Hypoallergenic for Whiskers (which Sweetie can have if she doesn't want her regular food).  

Good point, Rondo. Well, at that point Sweetie jumped up and told the boys they were being stingy... (3% and no increase, pffft!).  She continued...We should be generous and offer Grammy a 40 percent increase.  That way maybe we could count on more cuddles and it would cover the cost of replacing the yarn we destroy when she's knitting.   WELL, I, Mousie, don't destroy yarn but as those that do are siblings and siblings should stand together, I thought that a very good idea.  Yes, a 40 percent increase sounded reasonable.  

With that, mummy Whiskers, who had nodded off while Etude was on the internet checking on inflation rates, woke up and sputtered and shouted out.  Why not bowl the old dear over and offer to double her salary?   You know, she does clean our litter boxes, feed us frequent meals a day, washes all our dishes and keeps our bedding clean ...  AND SHE PAYS THE BILL FOR THE HEATING to keep us warm.  Come on guys.  Show a little compassion here.  It's the NEW YEAR and we ought to show a little generosity here. 

Voice pipes up from the livingroom ... YOU DO REALIZE THAT DOUBLE $0 is still ZERO, don't you?  and BLOGS will be on Tuesdays this month!!!

Talk about ungrateful.    That proves it!  You cannot get good help these days, not matter how generous you are!

by the Mischief and Mayhem Crew

Dear friends.   One more short blog as we wind down 2019.  Grammy is taking these last few days to rest, get a few things caught up and spend some time knitting and cuddling us. We, as usual, will be eating, sleeping, purring and creating havoc for Grammy.  Well, you wouldn't want us to be bored or boring, would you?

So, we leave behind the negative things of 2019 and focus on the positives as we move into the NEW YEAR.  

Those are HOME, FAMILY, FRIENDS, HEALTH, HAPPINESS, a little TEASING and a LOT of LOVE for all.
May you all be Blessed with the same.
Love, Whiskers, Mouse, Sweetie, Etude & Rondo  Oh, and Grammy too.

Dear Readers, Friends/Family all...

Our blog will be brief but heart-felt.  We love you dearly and wish you all joy and happiness now and throughout the coming year.  

May you have fellowship with friends and family and the joys of plenty on your plate, all your needs fulfilled and enough to share with those in need around you. 

Merry Christmas from all of us at Mischief and Mayhem Central 
- Whiskers, Mousie, Sweetie, Etude & Rondo.... oh, and Grammy too.

by Sweetie, Fitness Trainer and Intrepid Defender of the Home

Good morning, dear friends.  

You might ask when reading the title if we are having goose for Christmas dinner this year and the answer is, No, we won't be eating goose but 2 chubby geese will be feasting with us.  Who are these chubby birds?  Why, they are our brothers, of course -  those overweight, under-exercised, chow machines.

Once again I address the topic of exercise and fitness... and as on the other occasions I, Sweetie, am frustrated as is Grammy.  

As you all know the boys are somewhat chubby. WHAT'S that, Mousie?  Okay, maybe I should have said the boys are substantially chubby.  They are substantial as in... they are NOT featherweights. Far from it.

Add to that that they are chubbier than a year ago despite Grammy watching their food intake and changing up the foods for various diet foods.   You can read about our foray into FAT CAT brand food here. That was a bust and yet, Grammy, ever the optimist, has started to  try new 'diet food' for them called Royal Canin Satiety.  Rondo won't touch the wet food so he's on the kibble equivalent but Etude is on a combo of wet and dry.

And you also know that Grammy bought a harness and leash for Etude and if that is successful, then Rondo will be getting his very own harness.  

Getting Etude used to this harness may be a challenge greater than Grammy realized.  The goofball slinks across the floor belly to the ground when wearing it. Of course, that isn't hard since his belly is already pretty close to the floor but it is evident by the way he bends his legs that he doesn't like it.   More days and weeks may be required until he adapts and accepts the harness.  Then getting him out the door into the hall will be the next challenge.  But, Grammy persists.  Years ago we tried exercising Grammy and the boys and that was close to futile too.  You can read about it here. That one almost got us evicted.  *Giggles*  Whiskers got the last laugh in that exercise.   

Then I decided to open up my Fitness Academy and while I've done well with other clients including Whiskers and my sister Mousie those boys are another matter altogether.  You may want to read about these here and part 2 here.  Working with them was a major frustration that I may never recover from but I shall try.  Always focus on the positive, I say. And so...

Grammy and I haven't given up.  We're going to get those boys down to a respectable weight, even if it does us in.  In fact, we are thinking about setting up bleachers and charging for the show. It should be good.  Do we have any takers?  Would you pay to watch the show?  

Well, that's all for today.  Grammy has a busy day ahead of her and Mousie has been feeling unwell this morning so we'll be keeping a close eye on her.  Just pray it is an off day for the wee one and a visit to the vet won't be required.  

We love you, dear friends. 

Comments are always welcomed.  We love hearing from you.

by Mousie, petit snugglepuss,  curled up and keeping warm in my fake sheepskin. 

So, Grammy, please take dictation as I'm too lazy to rise from this comfy bed. 

And  the topic today is 'Tis the Season'.  You might ask what season are we talking about... well there are many.  

'Tis the season to get colds and flu.  So, have you and your loved ones had your flu shots?  Do you wash your hands before and after working with food? after being out and about? before eating? when working with stuff or caring for anyone who's sick? Do you avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth until you've washed your hands?   

You may well ask why I'm questioning these practices.  Well, Grammy catches bugs (and I don't mean the creepy crawly insect types) very easily and to protect herself she has become doubly diligent about protecting herself.  She prefers to not shake hands and hug people at church and other functions because she's so susceptible and people may not be aware and expose her to a bug or two.  Two years in a row despite taking precautions she was ill with influenza B and other unnamed viruses which put her out of commission for weeks.   So this year she has had her hi-dose flu shot and has added Emergen-C and other vitamins to her daily regimen as primary precautions.  

Okay and 'Tis the Season to be visiting friends and family and thus to slip and fall on the ice and snow.  Are you being safe during the winter season? Are you bundling up to keep warm? wearing good traction footwear? Driving slower and more cautiously when on the road?  Watching for wayward drivers when crossing streets?  Please take care of yourselves on the slippery slopes of winter.  

Now on to the best 'Tis the Season for us.  'Tis the season to celebrate Christmas.  We kitties love the season for all the delicious smells of yummy foods being prepared.  The secretive influx of parcels and wrapping paper and ribbons and such.  AND boy oh boy, it is fun to play with ribbons and 'help' wrap parcels.  Though, as Grammy gets older there are less and less packages and parcels to wrap.  She's at the age when she needs nothing and neither do her family and friends so.... that's not fair but as long as she has presents for us we'll be happy.

Grammy has her own 'Tis the Season.  The real reason for celebrating Christmas.  She loves Christmas for the marvellous gift of the Christ child and his purpose on earth - to reconcile man to God.  She loves listening to Christmas music, reading the Christmas story.  She also loves lunches with friends, visits to and from same, church and the carol services and the pageants of the young as they portray the Christmas story.  She loves these last ones so much that she usually cries while watching and singing.  We think she's a bit of a softy but we love her anyway.  

So, finally, 'Tis the Season for us to Thank you, our dear friends, for reading our blogs and following us on FaceBook.  We love your posts, your comments on our pages, the humour and the goofiness. 

And so, our early Christmas gift to you is a little overview of some of our Christmas creations over the years. You'll see us, of course, then some of our friends and families.  Some of you will see yourselves in there.  Enjoy! 

Of course, we also wish you a Very Merry Christmas filled with friends, family and furries.  *What's that, Etude?*  Oh thanks for the reminder.  and FOOD, of course.  We mustn't forget all the Christmas food.  Yum!

Comments are always welcomed.  Funny or otherwise.

by Etude, the quiet, well-behaved, cuddlebunny.

Well dear friends, Grammy developed another 10 grey hairs overnight AND I DIDN'T cause them this time.
Last evening after our last feed of the day/night Grammy prepared the bed to crawl in, making sure the duvet was placed properly to tent me.  Well, it was to tent her legs but I love sleeping in there and so, we both benefit. 
Then she plumped her pillows and got them ready close to the bottom of the bed.  Yes, she's crazy as a loon.  She sleeps backwards head at the bottom and feet at the top.  Looney-toons, that's our Grammy.

Once the food dishes are gathered, washed and put away she opens the bedroom door and let's the girls out to roam and Rondo and I immediately head into the bedroom.  We're banned from it during the day to allow the girls a safe-haven from rambunctious boys.  Or that's what Grammy says.

What is she talking about?  Can't be Rondo and me!  We are models of good gentlemanly behaviour. 

*shout from the livingroom*  EXCEPT WHEN YOU BITE LITTLE GIRLY BACKS.

Hush, Grammy.  This is my blog.  As I said, we are models of good behaviour but frustrated at being omitted from half the snoozing spots in this condo.  We have to let spoiled girlies know how we feel.  It's only fair!  They come and go through the cat door as they wish. 

*another shout*  AND YOU COULD TOO IF YOU LOST SOME WEIGHT, CHUBBOS!

Ignore the old dear.  Let's move on, shall we? 

The bedroom door is opened at bedtime and immediately I head for the duvet while Rondo either hangs his head over the local water dish or stretches out beside the pillows and waits for Grammy's cuddles.  

Mousie and Whiskers head for the livingroom and hunker down out there for a while before returning to take over Grammy's pillows.  They push and shove her head out of the way so they can centre their chubby butts esthetically on said pillows and settle in for the night.  

Where's Sweetie in all this kerfuffle?  Doing her rounds, checking for errant snowflakes, oak leaves and dust bunnies.  No insurgents in the area, she'll settle on the blanket on the dresser or the kitty condo to watch over us.

So, back to last night.  Grammy crawled in around us and stretched out for the night.  Other than a couple of interruptions to use the human litterbox OUR night was undisturbed until …

Sometime before dawn - bang, crash, clatter, rumble, cat-screeches and scrambles and Grammy and we were all upright on the floor, eyes wide.  We furries put on our innocent faces but looked concerned.  It took the old girl a while to don glasses, search the condo and locate the source of the calamity. 

Well, it served her right!  She was up earlier than she'd like but if, before she crawled into bed she'd put the lid on the fresh litter bin and set the scoop against it as she should Sweetie wouldn't have bounced off the dresser onto the lid flipping herself into the litter box and it and the scoop into the empty bin.  So there!  The bin din was Grammy's fault.

And so, moral to the story is.... do what you ought when you ought, Grammy so we have free reign to do whatever and be our mischievous selves.  That is, if you want to sleep in until 7.  Oh and, the grey suits you, old dear but we'll have to work on a little more to even it out.  

So, dear friends.  As we close we have to say this.  That bin is still empty.  More grey hairs might show up tomorrow if she doesn't take care of it before bedtime.

Comments are welcomed.  We love to hear from our friends.

by Mousie and Sweetie,  sisters in mischief.

*Speaking in Unison -Almost*

DDo yyou, oour rreaders, hhave aa hhuman wwho iis nnuts aabout ccrosswords? 

Mousie: Stop Sweetie!... you're a millisecond behind me when we speak... maybe we should
take turns doing this. What do you think?

Sweetie:  Oh okay!  You go first.  You're older than me.

Mousie: Sure!  Rub it in, little sister.  Okay, I'll start.  Friends, Our Grammy is cuckoo about  crosswords.  You know the ones!  Those she shouts mostly at the boys, occasionally at us. 

No, Etude!  Stop biting Whiskers! 
Rondo!  Dinner is coming! Stop your whinging!
Enough Whiskers, don't lick my hair, (my arm, my cheek). I'm trying to sleep.  Mousie, stop climbing the screen door! 
Ouch! Sweetie, Unclaw my rib (my armpit)! Nuzzle somewhere else!
Etude, don't touch my feet!  You woke me!
Out of my chair, Rondo!  
Sweetie, NO! NO! NO! leave the knitting needles alone.  Don't bite the yarn! 
Mousie, 100 kisses before bedtime is enough.  Now go to sleep!
One at a time on my lap, boys!

Boy, she is a grouchy ol' bear!

Sweetie:   Oh Mousie, not those crosswords.  The ones in the paper and in paperback books that Grammy and Aunty L. are always working on.

Mousie:  What?  You joking me?  I like when she does those.  Where do you think she gets all those funny words she uses? Haven't you noticed?  Oh, and stuff from all kinds of things - History, Geography, Current and Past Events, Media, Science and a plethora of other topics.   Oh, there's one of those words now!  Plethora.  Tehee.

Sweetie:  That's true!  And when she is focused on those she forgets to give Whiskers her pill... BUT she also forgets other things.... like us climbing the balcony door screen, and me biting the boys' ears to make them play. *giggles*

The worst is when she forgets to scoop our litter boxes.  *Shout from living-room*  I DO NOT FORGET TO SCOOP YOUR LITTER BOXES!  They'd be stinky if I did.

Mousie:  Ooops!  More cross words.  You'd better run and hide, Sweetie. I'm right behind you. 

So, friends.  Don't cross Grammy.  She might have a few words for you too.  *Scampers off to hide with Sweetie*  

*Another shout*  I HEAR SNICKERING IN THERE!  WHAT ARE YOU TWO UP TO???

Nothing, Grammy!  *muffling their snickers behind paws Sweetie whispers to Mousie* We'd best be quiet until she picks up her knitting or another crossword. 

*Whispering in Uunison* Sso ffriends, tthat's aall ffor tthis wweek. Ccomments aare wwelcomed, eespecially iif tthey aare ccomical.

By Etude,  aka Eureka, one of the Hoover Brothers *giggles*  and M&M Central crew.

Dear friends, 

I am having a fit about getting fit so I am not ready to blog about much today.  As a substitute I have put together a collection of creations by Grammy of the Mischief and Mayhem kind.  

Why am I having a fit, you ask?  Well, because last week Grammy bought a harness and leash and is forcing me to exercise.  This is cruel and unusual punishment for a cat.  Dogs go on leashes.  Cats do NOT!  We should be allowed to roam free of encumbrances like a harness, be lazy, eat what we want and do what we want when we want to.  None of this namby-pamby leash walking.  

So, I'm having a hissy fit and have decided not to write a blog.  Instead, please enjoy the video that Grammy put together for me.  A Collage of Mischief and Mayhem Miscellany.

Love you all.  Etude, the Chubby Lovebug

PS.   Oh no!  I did write a blog!  Oh bother!  as WtP would say!

Comments are welcome (especially if you agree with me about leashes and exercise).  Otherwise, I'll respond after my nap. 

by Whiskers, Matriarch of Mischief

Good morning, Friends.  

Today's blog will be a mishmash of topics.   

Starting off, let us remember the fallen.  Those whose lives were lost keeping our country free from tyranny.  
Today we honour them and those who continue to serve - our military, police, fire, medical and so much more. We truly appreciate their sacrifice.

As you may have read on our Facebook page our power was turned off to facilitate a maintenance issue.  Things went well and the power was re-established an hour or more before anticipated.   This was great. 

Our only incident was one light which Grammy forgot to turn off.  It lit up the condo at 4:30 AM. Etude and Whiskers were upset by this and decided to battle it out on Grammy's pillow.  Groggy with sleep, Grammy tried to shoo them off the bed and ended up with a 19 pounder's hind foot, claws extended on her left eye and cheek.  There is some swelling around the eye and the lid and cheek are scratched but the eye seems to have been spared.   Might you call this an eye-catching experience?

Now here we are this morning, the gas has been turned off to repair a faulty valve.  We'll see how this goes.  So far we have hot water in the taps and heat coming from the furnace but as the boilers cool that could change.  Hope it stays warm for the rest of the day.  Meantime we are snuggling with each other.  Sweetie is in her wee condo bed.  The chubbos are together on the sofa and  Mousie is in her tent waiting for me to finish the blog and join her.  

And it is snowing outside.  Upon waking there was a dusting on the rooves around us.  Now it is accumulating on railings and planters as well while that which hits the ground melts.  The weather people are calling for 10 - 15 centemetres… that's 4 - 6 inches.   While it'll look so pretty we don't really like the idea of Grammy going out in it - especially if the wet ground freezes as the temperature drops. Yuck!  

And lastly, the exercise plan for Sir Chubbo Etude has gone off the rails.  Grammy is going to give it another go after we post this blog.  Grammy got busy and then overtired and let things slip.  Tsk, tsk, Grammy.

Well, dear friends, that's all for this week.  Enjoy the photos... and we'll see you in the funny papers.  *giggles*  What does that mean?  Grammy says it and it sounds so goofy. 

Comments are welcomed... and if you know the answer please let us know.