Just the Maine Coons!

The Maine Coons get the blog today!

Here is Parker doing his best to look intelligent.


and, I am doing my best CathyKeisha imitation.

Ken Kat Settles In

I guess it is about time that I share my view of Ken since it looks like he is staying.

The burden of keeping Parker occupied has been shifted from me. Ken takes care of that now. However, keeping Ken occupied is an ENORMOUS task. You see, Ken is an equal opportunity instigator.

Yes, that Ken tracks me down and pesters me. I wake up in my cozy pink bed and he is on the floor staring at me. I am on Granpa's table (my upstairs surveying spot), and he is staring at me. He follows me up the cat tree and attacks me on top of the armoire. I have even found him in my safe linen closet hidey hole! Here he is watching for me.

On top of all that, he is Dad's favorite cat. Imagine that. That Ken has replaced me, the Queen, in Dad's heart. Well, to be honest it is hard to be #1 in a dog lover's heart, but still. I have seniority around here! Ken attempted to jump on the ironing board, but knocked it and the iron to the floor. All Dad said was "Bad Cat." Bad Cat? I get that on a daily basis for flicking my tail. Where is the equality?

Ken has learned tricks to a human heart. He rolls and shows the belly - what a cheap ploy, but works. He walks around talking and Mom is figuring out his calls. (she says MC's have an enormous vocabulary compared to our ancestor.) He has gorgeous classic tabby swirls with a white blaze - very handsome even if I say so myself. And, the Pièce de résistance is, get this, sleeping in the bathroom sink.

I just have to resign myself that Ken is here to stay. Mom said that we have to put up with Ken since he is rehomed and still settling in not to mention only 2 years old. I do recall Parker at 2 and he was a pain in the patootie.

So, Queen Margaret, um Maggie, will reign at the KruseKat house.

New Years Resolutions

I polled the house and I am sumarizing what is publishable:

Ken - Establish world dominance, or at least have it out with Maggie.

Parker - More Greenies, more Mom lap time. Also, Mom needs to make more quilts so I can help.

Dali - Plot how to overthrow the cat dominion. In absence of that, I need more bully sticks.

Mom - More quilts first half of the year. Teach Fall semester.

Dad - Remodel kitchen and fuss over how messy it is.

And, the best:

Maggie - Get that Ken to quit pestering me! I am Tortie, hear me growl. I finally trained Parker, now Ken. Mom, what did you do to me?

2012 KruseKat Kommentary

My feelings of 2012 are best left to Dickens, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us..."

This is my wrap up for the KruseKat year of 2012.

The best and worst thing is Ken. Mom was fortunate to be able to rehome a Norwegian Forest cat. He is handsome as all get out, has an incredible presence, but he is 2 years old and a royal pain in my side. Literally. He picks on me, and mom says I have the vocabulary of a sailor. Dad is quite taken with Ken, so I guess he is staying. The good part is that Parker and Ken play with each other which allows me time in the new pink cat bed.

Mom was able to rekindle friendships and meet her Twitter friends at BlogPaws. If you have a chance to go, I highly recommend it.  We started an Honor Flag project to recognize OTRB pals, rescue agencies, and anyone who champions for animals. It was moving.

We made quilts! @BoSoxAmy lost her home in a fire, so the Anipals joined together and made her a quilt. It was a worldwide project coordinated by LeoPussMan, jazzydacat, and myself. Mom sewed it together with our help.

We made an auction quilts for BabyPatches and for MissBusyBiz. Smokey8 won the butterfly quilt. Mom barely got Missy's done in time for sending to Winston (pushsupsnpaws) for Christmas. (My mom was fortunate to meet Winston,s mom at BlogPaws!)

Mom opened an etsy store for jewelry and sewed stuff. All profits go to World Vets.

Mom also got to spend time with Mariodacat's M&D. It was like they had known each other forever, D and Dad even joined in like long lost friends! It was certainly a highlight!

We lost Dad's mom about Labor Day weekend. She didn't suffer and went with dignity. Dad is an only child and her death has been a bit hard on him. However, he is becoming closer to his cousins, and he is no longer an only child, but part of a huge loving family.

Mom's struggles with recognition in her job finally began with a change of managers. She is learning new skills and has formed more alliances for team problem solving. Dad's job continues to be a challenge and he travels a bit.

That about wraps it up. Exciting life here in St. Louis!