The cat tree was precariously perched on the side of the step yet we didn't quite move it. The next thing I knew, their Dad was calling me to say the cat tree had fallen down and go check out the pond to see, CSI-style, what had happened.

Water was scattered everywhere and a smatter of pawprints were on the deck. Kaku peered at me from under the table and initially I thought she was the one who had climbed onto the cat tree and fell into the water. But she looked dry and scurried away.

While in the bathroom, I saw a little orange cat peer at me as he trotted by. His underside was wet like stalactites. I asked him, "Mu, did you fall into the pond?" He looked sheepish and went on his way.

You Are 52% Abnormal

You are at medium risk for being a psychopath. It is somewhat likely that you have no soul. You are at medium risk for having a borderline personality. It is somewhat likely that you are a chaotic mess. You are at medium risk for having a narcissistic personality. It is somewhat likely that you are in love with your own reflection. You are at medium risk for having a social phobia. It is somewhat likely that you feel most comfortable in your mom's basement. You are at high risk for obsessive compulsive disorder. It is very likely that you are addicted to hand sanitizer.

The difference between Cats and Dogs.

(Source: xenogere)

While browsing some cat books today in Borders, I read that filtered water is better for cats. When I got home, I replaced all the water in their bowls with fresh filtered water (from my Hexagon filter I've been too lazy to use). Perhaps it was simply that the water is fresh, but after supper, Boy drank for the longest time. :) I must remember to refill it more often.

Unable to sleep tonight again, I logged online. Boy came to me and meowed to be carried. Kaku hung out in the hallway, meowed and came into the study to be petted. So with one hand carrying Boy, I petted Kaku with the other. Kaku sped off after a few pets and Boy got my full attention. I took this opportunity to trim 3 of his claws. Surprisingly, there was minimal fuss. Kaku darted to the living room but was chased off by Buffy, who later sat on her Dad's computer table and watched me type IMs to Aunty Mitch.

Later, Kaku meowed and followed me to the kitchen to get some pets. My hand was full of prickly heat powder so I begged off to wash my hands first as Kaku rolled over in greeting. I petted her for no longer than a minute when Buffy came to intervene. Sam appeared not long after, suspecting food was underway.

Sighing, I decided to give them all a bit of a treat. They all ate hungrily, even Kaku who ate from the dish of one of the Three Naughties. Hmm... maybe all the attention seeking was a lure for more food. Anyway it was awfully cute. :) She returned to her bowl after a while and I petted her some more.

Tux and Boy appeared not long after and began eating too. After the meal, Buffy chased Sam into the living room while Boy returned to his couch to nap contentedly.

Today he yawned twice and used his hand to cover his mouth both times. I'm so proud he is well-mannered even in the womb. His legs were tightly clamped together but the radiographer instructed me to lie on my right, then left to try to ease his legs open for a better view and his gender was finally confirmed. I have a son!

On Thursday night we bought Boy's meds and I ground the pills into powder for easy sprinkling into his food. I still can't figure how the vet got him to take a pill but I reckon it's less stressful for both Boy and I to have his meds ground.

The other kids must have been harrassing Boy because he seemed very keen to hang out with me over the past few days. Imagine a 65-70 year-old man living in a home with teens and adults in their early 20s. Same thing here.

Early Wednesday morning, he invited himself into the bedroom just as his Dad was leaving for work and slept by my feet; Wednesday night, sat outside our bedroom door and his Dad let him in when he noticed him there while he brought in his phone; and Thursday night, his Dad brought him in to hang with me to help me sleep (so I wouldn't bother him!).

He got a lot of hugs and pets from a sleepless me (and even I slept better with him around). The first morning was funny. He came in and meowed a lot. I grunted a shh... petted him, and finally he settled down by my feet and slept. I dozed off too and woke again when my alarm rang. He got up, walked over to my face, sat and watched me as I struggled to wake up for work. I stretched out my hand and petted him, inducing a string of purrs. Then I realised the tension headache I had the day before, right up to the point when his Dad let him into the room, was gone! Talk about pet therapy. :)

Wednesday I didn't feel too well so I worked from home. Boy hung out with me at the feet of my bed while I napped in the afternoon. I took my pillow and lay beside him just to pet him and show my appreciation. He turned right around to face me and gaze lovingly at his old mom's face as I petted and blinked at him. He blinked back. When I got up, he followed me around. It was a lovely restful afternoon.

The last two nights we noticed he seemed to have gotten his groove back. I caught him swatting Tux with his paw from his living room chair. Endured some chasing by Buffy and Sam on two separate occasions. He seemed quite happy and confident to sleep by himself last night and tonight (Saturday) he is back on his own couch stretched out and napping. He was glad to have both parents home over the weekend and spent happy evenings blinking at me while I reciprocated in between watching TV. :D

Get the Better Humans collection today.

This collection of essays by leading scientists and commentators explores the implications of human enhancement technologies and asks how citizens and policy-makers should respond.

After 3 nights of half-sleep, I finally crashed today, working from home and taking a much-needed rest late afternoon. I'd thawed a large slab of salmon for dinner and decided to cook part of it for the kids.

Since it was still half-frozen (a lot of halves in this post... hm...), I chopped it up into sashimi portions and boiled them with a small blob of olive oil butter.

The cats meowed excitedly when they realised I was about to dish them their dinner! Boy took to his first, eating a few pieces before he decided he didn't like it.

Kaku ate up her portion and ate most of Tuxie's too. Buffy surprisingly ate all of hers, while Sam took a few bites and decided he didn't like it as did Tux.

Sigh... now there are 2.5 dishes of salmon that no one is eating. I am surprised the kids are sated with just a few bites each. Ah well... time to get my dinner from the oven.

We'd bought a few pieces of chicken liver and chicken breast (instead of fillet which came in a family pack) on Friday eve and their Dad promised he'd cook for them over the weekend.

Saturday lunch time: their Dad decided to cook chicken liver for the kids, despite my vehement protests. Naturally, they sniffed it with disdain and he was horribly disappointed. He sighed and threw the liver away, and then began boiling the chicken breast. It took longer than expected, being a lot thicker than the fillets. When it was finally done, he cut it up, put several pieces in each dish and we stood and watched.

Kaku chewed into hers with relish as always, but the rest sniffed it and walked away. Their Dad was even more disappointed, probably swearing never to cook for these ungrateful kids anymore. He took Tux's chicken and gave it to Kaku. Meanwhile, I took a piece in my hand and put it to Boy's nose. He sniffed it again and this time, gingerly took it into his mouth. When he realised it tasted really good, he began tearing into his food.

Sam watched Boy eat and decided the food must be good. He started eating the chicken in his dish and before long, demolished half of it. Tux sat in the corner observing all of this, but still did not move. Buffy began sniffing hers and eating her food. By the time Tux realised it was yummy, most of it was gone. Nonetheless, it didn't stop him from sharing Sam's food and even hissing at his lover to chase him away! We were quite horrified...

Anyhow, their Dad's faith in his cooking was restored. :) And the kids can look forward to more home-cooked meals.