Oh that's really sad kitty, so sorry to hear that, and how kind of the stranger to try to find her owner. We've buried all ours (hamsters then chinchillas) in back gardens round the country. Hope the wake at the pub went well.
DS is really, really vocal when he wants to be, but there's nothing even approaching a word in there. Lots of squawks, yells, raspberries, babble, etc, but nowt remotely resembling a word...tbf, I think he's doing 'babababababa' but it'll be a while til we get anything more 
That's brilliant news re. the sleeping Gee, really hope it continues!
I think that's what gets me as well Kate; it's not only an intrusion, but the amount of work that needs doing to prepare for guests especially when they're neurotically clean but their child, your DP, is Stig of the Dump is an effort when you work full time.
I'm currently having a big chuck out, as my Aunt and Uncle are visiting next weekend. DP hoards something rotten, and so I've filled three black bin bags of crud already, as it's bin night and it can all go. Bring on the big clean next week: bet you're dead jealous of my plans aren't you DSM !!
We're just fingers crossed on DP's application to reduce his hours; if that doesn't work out, he will not want to go back, and it'll be hard to convince him otherwise...