Hi! It's me again. Sure is nice to get up and get a drink of fresh water in the morning. There's nothing floating in this water. I haven't figured out how to use this other thing, but it makes neat sounds and also provides a nice drink when that lid's up.

Today we had a second breach of faith. Dolly saw a squirrel on the telephone wires and the temptation was more than she could bear. Mommy walked around the block to fetch her. As I waited to point out her location I looked to my left in the hedge. If you look closely you can see a second head peeking out under the first. Now we're in even deeper water. Mommy swears we'll never go out in the backyard again. All trust is lost and our faith in a cat's honor shaken.
If I had only known these guys were in my yard I never would have strayed. I was simply looking for someone to play with.

Thanksmas 08-09

This was a Christmas to remember. After all, it lasted for 6 weeks. We knew we'd be heading for New Jersey some time in early December to be on scene for the birth of Stephen V. Therefore, Mary Lou decided we needed to have our home Christmas early. Easily done-- we simply combined it with Thanksgiving and had Thanksmas the last Thursday in November. We put up our tree, sprinkled inside with decorations and invited Master Brown, the Hiser's and Ginny and Howard. We had a great gathering and Dolly got to jump in boxes and shread paper for the first time.

Soon after we took off for New Jersey and the arrival of our latest addition, Stevie V. He arrived on December 7 as we pulled into the parking lot of Morristown Memorial. Blue escorted us into the delivery room before they even had a chance to freshen Stevie up. He was gorgeous and had long dark hair. He came home 2 days later and immediately took control of the household. Meanwhile, a subplot was brewing as Harley tried to scare off the relentless advances of Dolly. We had days of hissing and posturing before a truce was reached.

Grandpa and grandma Coltharp arrived on Christmas eve, so we made room or them by going to Becky and Mike's in Wake Forest to celebrate our second Christmas. We had a great time with the children and even got to spread special reindeer food on the front lawn to make sure Santa was attracted to the house. Dolly had a tough but busy first Christmas. The tree and the wrappings were great sport but her day was clouded because Dunkin was enjoying his first Christmas around the tree as well and couldn't seem to understand that behind the tree was a "cats only zone."


After our wonderful holiday in Wake, we headed back to N.J. for New Years and the arrival of Beth, Katie and Emily so we could celebrate our third Christmas. And what a great time it was. We opened presents, made snow angels even got in another trip to NYC to enjoy the holiday decorations.

All in all, it was a marvelous Christmas and one we will remember for a long time.