CREWS' VIEWS

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T05:59:00.001-06:00

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize.
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

(author unknown)

The Crew and family wish everycat and their family a happy & safe Thanksgiving.

I've Got Game

2009-11-23T05:59:00.005-06:00

GEORGE

While Dad was watching the Packer's game this weekend, Mom and I had a quick game of "feather".

Do you like my paw action? At 12 1/2 I'm a Senior Catizen but, there's no doubt about it, I've still got game!

I think this one shows off my Mancatly toes and claws especially well, don't you?

Here, let me show you a closeup. See how each toe is defined and my claws are ready to grab the feath...hey, wait a minute...my claws! Only one of them is razor sharp!!

Mom...did you trim my claws while I was sleeping?!

Sisterly Help

2009-11-20T05:43:00.001-06:00

MISTY

Tipper, I'm so sleepy I'm sliding off the cushion. Could you hold me up?

TIPPER

Sure, let me just get behind your ear here and prop up your head a little. How's this?

MISTY

Much better, thanks.

Purrfurmance Review 2009

2009-11-17T05:42:00.005-06:00

GEORGE

Alright...now THIS is a great idea!! Thanks to Maggie & Zoey over at Zoolatry for providing just what we all need to bring our humans into line. I urge everycat to do your performance review during the month of November.

I've been complaining and complaining about my secretary's (aka Mom) poor performance for 4 years now, but did it do any good? Did she listen to any of my suggestions? Did she try to improve? More importantly, did she quit her day job, as I suggested, to devote more time to our blogging needs? NO!!!

Thanks to this handy form, now I can show her, on paper, just where I feel she needs to improve her work.

Quantity of Output - The review suggests daily posting to our blog, but we're lucky if our secretary posts two or three times a week. This is unacceptable and must improve - Rating C

Quality of Output - Overall I'm fairly satisfied with the subject matter, photos, etc., but feel the imagination and fun part needs work. For instance, we haven't run a contest in over 2 years! - Rating C

Pawticipation I - We're Catster members and can easily be contacted by clicking on our blog sidebar email link or by comment - Rating A

Pawticipation II - I think we participate in only about 1/3 of everything fun that happens in The Cat Blogosphere. We don't take part in nearly enough contests or special events and who even remembers the last time we went to a party! Plus, you're not spending nearly enough time promoting my group, Coats of Many Colors - Rating D-

Client Satisfaction - We average between 10-25 comments per posting, but there's always room for improvement and an increase in readers - Rating B-

I want to add another very important section to my review --"Visiting friends and commenting".

Visiting/Commenting - Here is where you need improvement, Mom. Some days we only visit a few friends to leave comments and some days we don't get out to visit ANY! - Rating D

Overall Rating - Based on the above, your rating is a low "C" and needs real improvement.

Your nearly failing grades in two sections brought down your overall average and I would like you to try hard to bring your average up to at least a solid "B" before your next review. In view of your mediocre rating, there will be no pay raise this year and the entire Crew will be watching you closely, in between our naps of course.

MOM

Don't you think this is a bit harsh, George? I mean, I do read TCB news every day to keep up on current events. And remember, I have a few health issues, I work full time, I take care of you 4 and Dad plus a big house & yard and sometimes I go to your sisters to help out with our Girl!

GEORGE

No excuses!! If other secretary's can do it, so can you.

But....on second thought, I might be inclined to improve your grade to a C+ in exchange for, oh let's say.... a daily ration of treats, and not just for myself, but for the entire Crew. And not just one flavor, either...a variety would be nice.

Claw Story

2009-11-16T05:18:00.003-06:00

CLAW STORY
a one act play by
Maxwell Smartkitty

The Ensemble: (in order of appearance)
Mom - Mom
Dad - Dad
George - Georgie Pie
Max - Maxwell Smartkitty
Tipper - Tipper Doodle
Misty - Misty Everpurr

The Setting:
5:00AM. The dark bedroom of a suburban Whisk-onsin house.

As the scene opens we see two humans in a big bed. Mom is lying on her left side, snuggled under the quilt against the morning chill. Dad gets up and leaves the room. The door is left ajar. Within seconds cats enter the room and jump onto the bed. First is George, an elderly, sometimes cranky, white & gray harlequin, who immediately demands to be under the cover. We see Mom lift the blanket and George settles in against her chest, purring loudly.

Then we see Max, the magnificent, black & white tuxie, who first checks on the location of his beloved brother. Once satisfied that all is well, Max settles his 20 lb. weight on Mom's shoulder with his pristinely white, Mancatly front paws extended. Mom reaches up to pet his head.

Mom: How's my handsome tuxie boy?

Max: I'm good.

We see two other cats, Tipper and Misty, both gray & white female tuxies, enter and settle at the foot of the bed.

Max, having made himself comfortable on Mom's shoulder, flexes his huge toes, extends his razor sharp claws and begins to knead on the side of Mom's face and head.

Mom: Ouch!

Max: (purr purr purr knead knead knead)

Mom: Ow...Max!!

Max: Sorry. (purr purr purr knead knead knead)

Meanwhile George has made his way under the quilt and is in the crook of Mom's knee. Max realizes his brother is no longer against Mom's chest and, being the concerned brother that he is, stops kneading, gets up, turns and walks down the length of Mom's body to find him. Once he finds the George lump, Max is satisfied but for good measure he hisses at Misty, his annoying, top-shelf-stealing little sister, (yes I know about that, Misty) then walks up Mom's body and re-settles his considerable weight on her shoulder.

Mom: Max, settle down.

Max: I needed to find George.

Mom: Fine, you found him. Now go to sleep.

Max again begins kneading on Mom's face and head, more forcefully than before.

Max: (purr purr purr knead knead knead)

Mom: Ow! Max...claws!!

Max: Sorry. I got a little carried away.

Mom: Well, stop it.

Max, who is now really into his kneading, digs into the quilt, Mom's nightgown, neck, ears and head, catching his claws in her hair.

Mom: Max...CLAWS!!!

Max, busy with his kneading, pays no attention to Mom's pleas.

Mom: OW!!! STOP IT!

Mom shrugs her shoulder and Max slides part way off, but gets right back on.

Max: Sorry Mom. I guess I don't realize my own strength.

Mom: OK...calm down now.

Max begins to knead more gently but when one claw punctures Mom's skin, she cries out in pain.

Mom: OWW!!!! That's it. You're getting a claw trim today.

Upon hearing this, Max, who hates claw trims, leaps off the bed in one mighty bound and rushes from the room.

Max: No way! I'm outta here.

The End

Explaining a Bald Birdie

2009-11-13T05:03:00.001-06:00

MISTY

See this? It's a fake birdie house and a fake real birdie used to sit on the corner there. Now all that's left are a few feathers where the birdie was sitting. But I want to say right now, this wasn't my fault...none of it! It's Mom's fault and I'll explain how I know this.

The birdie on the birdie house was on a shelf in the upstairs bathroom. Mom wants to paint that room so Dad took down the shelf and Mom set the shelf and birdie house with the birdie on it in the hallway.

Well, I was minding my own business when I happened by and saw the birdie sitting on it's house. Of course I had to sniff it and touch it with my paw 'cause I thought it was a real birdie, but then I found out it was a fake birdie with real feathers. Then somehow, while I was sniffing it, my mouth got on it and I might have put the bitey on it, but just a little, 'cause you all know how much I like feathers, 'specially on my feather-butt mousies, and I wanted to see if those birdie feathers were real or fake.

Then, you know, one thing lead to another and I'm not really sure what happened next 'cause it happened so fast, but suddenly the birdie wasn't sitting on it's house any more. I think it fell down the stairs so I ran downstairs to play wi...uh, I mean, to see if it was alright. Then the weirdest thing of all happened 'cause while I was looking at it, the feathers started falling off, almost all by themselves, and the birdie was bald!!

Well, when Mom got home from work she found feathers all over the floor and she looked around 'til she found the bald birdie and then she blamed ME, just because I happened to be sitting in the same room. But, as I've explained, I was an innocent bystander!

You can all see how this is Mom's fault, right? If she had put the birdie house away instead of leaving it in the hallway, I wouldn't have found it and the birdie wouldn't have fallen off it's house and it's feather's wouldn't have fallen off either and the birdie wouldn't be bald. You all think I'm completely innocent, right?

Helping Dad

2009-11-11T05:59:00.000-06:00

MISTY

Usually Max or George help him with manly stuff but today I'm helping Dad. Here I am checking out the heater pipe in the upstairs bedroom while Dad is trying to find out why it's so cold up here!

Aaacckkkk! Oh no!! Somebody, come quick! There's water coming out and Mom will be mad if the rug gets wet.

GEORGE

Get out of the way, Mist!!! I need to take a look at this right away.

No doubt Dad will want my advice on how to handle this problem.

Meatloaf Mancat Monday

2009-11-09T05:16:00.001-06:00

GEORGE

Here we are...two brothers... practicing our meatloaf positions on the big bed.

MAX

Is "meatloaf" a yoga position? Hmmm...I'm not sure.

Maybe we should check with Skittles (aka Mrs. Slycat). Everycat knows she's the The Cat Blogosphere's best yoga teacher.

4th Blogiversary

2009-11-06T05:50:00.001-06:00

MISTY

Tomorrow is our 4th blogiversary and I want to talk about it. Here is a link to The Crew's first post. I'm 3 1/2 years old now so that means George, Tipper & Max were blogging for six months before I was even born! George was 8, Tipper was 2 1/2 and Max was only 18 months old when they started blogging.

You know when humans have a wedding anniversary there are things that mean something special for each year. Like paper is for the 1st anniversary, silver is for the 25th, and gold is for the 50th. Well, Mom helped me look up what the thing is for a 4th anniversary and it's "floral". That means flowers and we found out that the 4th anniversary flower is a geranium. Since lots of geraniums are pink, which is my color, I'm very happy that I can show a picture of them.

So much has happened since The Crew started blogging. Dad broke his leg and had a surgery, I found my forever home when I was adopted from the shelter, our human sister B got married and 2 years later we had a part y for the showering ladies before her blurpy girl was born. I was very happy when I found true love with my handsome mancat, Speedy. Soon after that Mattingly declared his love for Tipper and Max won the heart of Mattingly's sister Harlie. Then there was my terrible ordeal (shudders) when I swallowed thread and had to have a surgery on my insides. Mom & Dad have done a lot to fix up our house to make it look nice too, like when we built the new dec k, remodeled the bathroo m and put a wood floor in the living room.

We just love blogging and have so much fun. If there isn't anything interesting happening at our house, there's always something happening somewhere in The Cat Blogosphere -- parties, contests, purrthdays, Gotcha Days and weddings, too! We've shared tears of sadness, laughed over joyous news and learned so much about how kitties live all over the world. We've met many wonderful kitties and their families and we love you all.

Won't you take a glass and join us in a toast...a toast to our 4th blogiversary and to cat blogging!!

2009 Purr for Peace

2009-11-05T02:08:00.001-06:00

Kitties everywhere, continue purrin' for peace.

Widebody Brother Wednesday

2009-11-04T05:21:00.000-06:00

MAX

Mom, I know I'm the bigger brother but how come I look so much wider than George now?

MOM

Because you are wider. You're the biggest cat I've ever seen! I can barely lift you any more.

MAX

But big is good, right? Big paws, big tail, big tum....uh, I mean, big furs.

Move over a little George. My bigness needs more room to spread out.

Mancat Coolness on the Phone

2009-11-02T05:33:00.000-06:00

GEORGE

Do you remember when I was debating whether I should get a cell phone, but then decided against it? Well, Dad lost his cell phone recently so he got a new one that takes pictures. And yes, I know you're thinking "But George, EVERYONE has phones that take pictures". That's right...everyone 'cept my Dad. He's kind of old fashioned that way.

Anyway, to fix up his new phone, Mom put some pictures of our former Blurpy, soon-to-be Sticky Girl on it and of course, pictures of ME! Now I can go everywhere with Dad and when he sees people during the day, instead of just telling them about me, he can show me!! I'll get to ride in the car, go to meetings, eat lunch out and even fly on airplanes. This is all very cool, don't you think?!

Here I am on his new phone.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-30T05:02:00.001-05:00

MISTY

We wish everycat a safe Halloween.

Remember to stay indoors tomorrow 'cause, believe it or not, Mom says there are bad people out there who might deliberately harm us, 'specially House Panthers. We don't want any of our friends to be hurt.

And if a blurpy or sticky person offers you chocolate, just say NO! Chocolate and candy wrappers can make us kitties, and dogs too, very sick.

The Kitty Eat Hat II

2009-10-29T04:54:00.001-05:00

TIPPER

Remember when Mattingly & Harlie's Mom sent our girl a kitty-ear hat and we showed a picture of her wearing it?

Well, here she is again, now 14 1/2 months old, wearing it. I'm glad her hat is gray with pink ears, like me.

Congratulations Miss Peach & Mickey

2009-10-27T05:46:00.002-05:00

After many delays, the lovely Miss Peach, and her handsome fiance Mickey will be married on October 31. We wish them much love and happiness.

Knowing how much the bride loves flowers and the cottage look, when we saw this beautiful hand-carved bed and pillow we knew it was the perfect gift. May the happy couple spend many years of wedded bliss resting in their marriage bed.

Map Yourself

2009-10-23T11:24:00.005-05:00

For any cat who might not have seen the news over at The Cat Blogosphere, Freya has found a way for us all to map where we live.

Good work Freya!! Mom tried to do it a while back, but couldn't find a way.

Go here to add yourself to the world map. You'll find us in Brookfield, Whisk-onsin, USA.

Our Rest with Dad

2009-10-22T05:53:00.000-05:00

GEORGE

In between my daily rounds to check the house, having a bite to eat and using the litterbox, I usually nap on the big bed. It's really the best place for an extended snooze, and it's exactly where Mom found me when she got home from work.

Since everything was under control I saw no need to get up just 'cause she came home and when I did finally stroll into the family room, Mom & Dad were having dinner. When Dad made some remark about how he wished he could nap under a quilt all day, I offered him part of the bed to do just that. It was the right thing to do, after all.

I said, "Well Dad, some morning when Mom leaves for work why don't you come back to bed? It's a big bed and I think Max and I can make room for you. But no snoring or kicking! We need our rest, you know"

MAX

Yeah...our rest!!

GEORGE

So, that's just what he did. He took a morning off and slept in with us.

MAX

Just us three guys. It was good.

'Tock-tober

2009-10-20T05:55:00.003-05:00

GEORGE

In honor of our old pal Derby's purrthday, here's our 'Tocktober picture.

OK, obviously this isn't me, but do you know whose 'tocks this is?

Here's a clue.

Mancat w/leaf Monday

2009-10-19T05:12:00.001-05:00

MAX

Hey, where did this come from? How am I supposed to pose for Mancat Monday with this thing here?

Where's Mom?

Mom!! You need to come and get this leaf off my carpet!

Pointing out the Obvious

2009-10-15T05:41:00.000-05:00

MAX

Yes, I know, I know...you don't have to tell me.

I can see her up there, and I'm not happy about it either.

But I at least I'm on the ri ght quilt this time!

Doesn't Seniority Count?

2009-10-13T05:56:00.002-05:00

MOM

What are you two waiting for? You're like a couple of vultures staring at me!!

TIPPER

We want some cereal milk.

MAX

Yeah, could you hurry up, please? (taps Mom's leg)

MOM

Oh alright...here! (puts down bowl)

MAX

How come you get to go first?

TIPPER

'Cause I have seniority. I'm a year older than you, remember?

MISTY

Oh good, there's still a little left.

GEORGE

Hey, who finished all the milk? I didn't get any and I'M Senior Cat here!!

Needing my own Place

2009-10-09T05:12:00.001-05:00

GEORGE

Dad got this thing that blows leaves around the yard. As Senior Cat, naturally I was right there to help him inspect everything.

(sniff, sniff) Hmmm...I'm not really interested in the equipment so much Dad, but this box is very cool.

Can I have it? It would make a great bachelor pad.

Tipper has her own apartment and I think I should have my own too. After all I AM Senior Cat here!

Stolen

2009-10-07T05:50:00.000-05:00

MISTY

Max isn't around so I'm taking over his top shelf AND his quilt for my afternoon nap.

Maybe if I hide under here he won't even know I was here!

Shhhhh, don't say anything, OK?

Sunny Sofa

2009-10-05T05:04:00.001-05:00

GEORGE

Brrrrr!!

The cold weather is here now in Whisk-onsin and, actually, our living room faces north so the sofa doesn't get any sun.

But the good news is, our family room faces south! That's where you'll find us.

Yes, I Know My Name!

2009-10-02T05:21:00.000-05:00

TIPPER

You all know I usually visit with Dad for a few minutes in the evening. I sit on the arm of the couch and we talk.

Well, last night I was sitting there but facing Mom, looking over her shoulder and helping her do her crossword, when Dad called my name. Naturally, I turned my head to see what he wanted.

Do you know, he acted surprised! What's wrong with him? Does he think I'm stupid and don't know my own name?!

MOM

Tipp, you just have to remind Dad how smart kitties are. All cats know their names.

But remember dear, you're the only one in our family who comes running when you're called, so that means you're extra smart!

TIPPER

(sigh) Thanks, Mom. That makes me feel a little better.