this is margot

new kittens!

I’d like to introduce you to the new members of my family: my two new kittens!!! I’ve been waiting a long long time to get a kitty of my own. I haven’t had a pet since I lived at home – my beloved black cat named Mojo. He stayed with my dad when I went off to college and then moved with him to Flagstaff. I’ve always been a lover of cats and now I have my own to spoil!

We waited until we had a permanent place to live and were settled in so that we could devote some time and attention to them. We initially were going to get one cat, but I knew in the back of my mind it would be best to get two so they can keep each other company while we’re at work. We went to Austin Pets Alive! to pick one out and found a beautiful and friendly calico. I’d always wanted a calico! Well, this calico girl had a friend – a younger black kitten – that was pretty attached to her. The minute I picked her up and held her, I knew we couldn’t say no. So we took them both!

We brought them home and put them in our spare bedroom with all their essentials (and non-essentials) and they were immediately comfortable. They started playing immediately and scarfed down their food. They are extremely friendly and love to cuddle. But they also like to play a lot, like kittens do.

The next morning, they quickly took over the rest of the house and made themselves right at home!

It took us two days to name them. We finally settled on Margot and Maeby. Margot (black kitty) is named after a character in one of our favorite movies The Royal Tenenbaums and Maeby (calico) is named after a character in one of our favorite TV shows Arrested Development.

Blog readers (all 3 of you): I just want to forewarn you, I will be posting a lot of photos and videos of these cute kittens! I apologize in advance.

no retreat no surrender

We thoroughly enjoyed our two Thanksgivings again this year. Two tasty turkeys were turned out by my mom and mother-in-law as always! Was it just me, or did the holidays kind of sneak up on us this year?

We also had two other turkeys in the form of my mother-in-law’s cat Oliver and my sister-in-law’s cat Nanaa for entertainment. Last year I had blogged about their interaction (or lack thereof) and this year was no better. Nanaa is getting braver, but not more tolerant of Oliver. It’s always fun to watch them hash it out.

After a fabulous dinner and dessert, we enjoyed the fire and of course, some wine.

Even Oliver enjoyed the fire.

Nanaa preferred to keep to herself so as to stay out of Oliver’s way.

Don’t hide Nanaa!

Later on we played Cranium. Girls against guys. The girls were winning for most of the game, but somehow the guys came back to beat us.

Maybe it was my brother-in-law’s awesome blind-drawing skills.

Then the boys played some ping pong in the basement. Like boys do on Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, Nanaa decided to venture out to the living room hoping that the coast was clear.

Look out behind you Nanaa!

She was not amused.

Eventually, they just ignored each other. They were too tired to strike up a game of clawless-paw batting. (Speaking of which, have you seen this video? Hilarious!)

Too much turkey I think.

Looking forward to the holidays! I better get back to my x-mas shopping. My sister flies in on 12/21!
See the rest of my pictures from Thanksgiving on Flickr.

*Blog post title is a lyric from the song “No Surrender” by Bruce Springsteen

adventures in cat-sitting

While Kari and Brett were on their honeymoon, we got to watch Nanaa for two weeks. It was an adventure that can only be summed up in a series of LOLcats.

Nanaa thoroughly enjoyed her time with us. She lounged on every flat surface including every window sill. But I think she was happy to go home and see Kari and Brett.