Tinsel, Glitter and Baubles - the Excellent Cats prepare to knock Everything off your Christmas Tree

[TheShellBeach]

As we approach the festive season, they're already finessing their plans and recalling last year's successes............

Well Mousie doesn't have the hiding places he used to have in the living room now. I mean there's plenty of other places (under the chest, behind bookcases etc), but no more piles of stuff under the coffee table. Taken me most of the evening off & on (5 mins sorting, 3 minutes with a hand held vacuum, 20 mins resting my bloody back, rinse repeat), plenty of rubbish in the wheelie bins carefully sorted into recycling & standard. Haven't seen any movement or found any corpses yet either, so I reckon it's managed to get back into the kitchen (sigh). May have to persuade Annie & Nephew No. 4 to haul the washing machine out so we can clear behind it at some stage - Girlcat WILL be disappointed if we get rid of her favourite "toys".

Tobias has been a very brave boy staying in his radiator hammock the entire time, not even leaving in a panic when I was vacuuming; very proud of him.

He has the most beautiful everything!😻

His fur looks like velvet.

Good for Tobias!

He didn't even run away when I closed the curtains to either side of his hammock! I have long curtains that hang well below the windowsill, so I always leave a fair gap so they can get in their hammocks or onto the windowsill. Girlcat actually prefers me to pull the curtain mostly around her hammock, so she's in a little cave!

Not only does Sybil require our plates/bowls for cleaning at breakfast (usually before we have finished), this morning she has insisted on a lap while I have my coffee.
They are demanding little buggers aren't they? 🤣

I (naturally) concur that Finlay is a very handsome chap.
And thumbs up to the lovely Tobias.

Yay Tobias! You're doing so well.

I'm sorry you still haven't found the mouse, Allergic.

🤣

Oh thank you - you are all so lovely about Finlay! Some other gorgeous kitties on here too

They're all gorgeous, really.

Even Gizmo.

I'm reminded of Orwell '
All cats are equally excellent but...' 🤣🤣🤣

Linney seems to think we're going to the vet's. This is where he hides. At least, he thinks he's hiding.

Ooh Grumpy. That's contentious.

I've spent Christmas being nice - something had to give 🤣.

He was a little standoffish for half an hour, but here he is now with DD so I think we're forgiven 😄

There have been a few early fireworks here and he's looked alarmed but nothing too dramatic so hopefully he'll be OK.

Hoping for treats - I knew it was a mistake to let him lick the salmon packaging!

That looks like a cat who deserves a bit of salmon.

Finlay you are a beautiful boy.

I had a very happy Tobias, and a happy Annie, this afternoon.

Annie & nephew no 4 came over for our seasonal film & TV watching, and pigging out on party foods & cakes. Tobias and Girlcat normally have a small treat (usually a very little bit of cooked chicken) when I eat, so they came down & looked hopeful when we ate. Annie was positive that Tobias wouldn't come near her, as he associates her with being caged & taken to the vet, but she ended up hand feeding him his chicken with him showing no signs of concern.

He then realised the heating was on, so settled down for a sleep in his radiator hammock the rest of the time they were here, not moving until there was the bustle of them leaving.

He's getting such a brave boy lately 😍

Finlay is so very handsome!

I wish Tobias would pass his bravery secrets over to Fred. My friend is coming over soon so I know Fred will run and hide. Weirdly a delivery driver just pulled up outside, didn't even open the gate, and Fred ran and hid upstairs. He's not usually bothered by deliveries, it's like he knows there is going to be A Visitor.

Finlay got the leftovers!
It was cooked salmon leftovers mixed with boiled egg in a white sauce - inside a puff pastry parcel - we had it with roast root veg and home made coleslaw - lush!
I am on a mission not to go food shopping till after new year

I bet he loved that!

Shady wanted a belly rub, yet again

Herbie is being so lazy this holiday. He seems to be staying in all day, only going out briefly in the evening and then in all night!
I've come to the conclusion that because we are all in, instead of at work/school, he thinks he will get more food, and follows us into the kitchen most times where he sits looking up hopefully.
He jumped onto the side and got some red velvet cake yesterday, very naughty. All the crumbs on the floor gave him away!

DS said 'let him eat cake', but I don't think the vet will be impressed next time he has a weigh in. He's been fat shamed once already and we've been told not to give him too many treats....