Here Kitty Kitty Kitty!

A couple of nights ago, my husband called me into the bathroom on the far side of the house.

Shh, listen! Do you hear cats?

uhmmm, OMGosh! Yes I do! They must be outside, fighting!

Sure enough, a couple of big cats seemed to be doing that territorial cry. I just shooed them away, and carried on.

We have heard them a couple of times, but I thought nothing more of it. I figured Figuro, the big orange cat that lives next door, must be trying to maintain his territory. Although, Sergio & I sometimes swear it sounds like it is right under us.

Today, I thought about it and told Sergio we should check the vents & crawl space doors to see if any cats got in. When I got home from work I found a poster taped up on our light post with the face of a cute little missing house cat. I called. They ran over. After calling Cali Cat (the female decawed house cat that got out) unsuccessfully. We (the neighbor missing the cat & his son) did manage to chase a HUGE gray cat out from under the house.

BUT that was just one cat from one crawl space. You see, my house has two crawl spaces, the second from an addition to the house. Over on the other side of the house, I have another cat under the house in the crawl. GREAT BIG, MAYBE A MAINE COON? I don't know big darn cat that has no intention of moving. Did I mention he/she is really big? I can't convince my neighbor to take this one, to replace their missing cat. They kindof thanked me, and we will continue to look. I will continue to monitor activity for Cali Cat.

So, now I am worried about this HUGE cat that has managed to get in my crawl space.

I go in. I gotta rescue it!

So in I go!

Luckily, we have the kind of crawl spaces that are dry, has a nice vapor sheet covering pea gravel, and, ahhhh, electricity with light switches!

I'm good with that. Pleased I find NO bugs, rodents, etc (well, jeez, what do I expect? This big cat has been eating something!). The cat stares at me without blinking. The cat doesn't move a muscle, yet I hear growling......

I'm in on my hands and knees trying to sweet talk this uhm, tiger? Suddenly I realize the growling & hissing is coming from my left! Opposite of Cujo Cat. FIGURO! The other neighbor's big yellow cat, and he is PISSED. I get around him realizing he is territorial over this other cat or scared shitless and trying to act tough. I get my back to the wall and try to get the cats to run out the opened crawl access door. I shoo Figuro with my big ole flashlight and he bats at it angrily instead of running FROM me, he darts toward the other corner and Cujo Cat Tiger chases him up into the rafters/ floor beams whatever they are! Now these cats are deeper under my house!

Meanwhile, above me, I can hear my dogs FREAKING out! They hear the cats, me, OUR cats, whom have decided to "talk" back at the cats under the floors, and an occasional, "Knock it off!" from Sergio, who is on a business call instead of trying to keep me from losing a limb to a Ferrel cat (actually he doesn't know I am under the house at this point, although he did here the neighbor under there!

Now, that I know Figuro is involved, I run to those neighbors to get them to help me. The teen daughter joins me under the house, and eventually her father also comes over (but not under the house~ cat allergies!)

For now, we have given it a rest. I left the door open for them to run out (not a great idea as it is cold and our bedroom (the area this situation is) has gotten chilly as well. So, I put the door back on, but it's leaning so they or at least the BIG CAT can retreat out. Figuro will come when he knows its safe and he wants back in at his house.

Lets just hope I don't wake to even more cats under there in the morning!

Freakin' Hillbilly Idiots

Please tell me only in Indiana are parents this stupid!

I am sure that this father loves his child. I often see my neighbor playing ball with his children in this yard. But, unfortunately, I also see this.

I am sure he means well. This child is spending time with Daddy, "helping with chores". I pray that they will go unscathed. Unlike the countless of stupid needless accidents where a child is harmed, and even killed, in mowing accidents.

Stupid Stupid Stupid!

Dirty Rotten Scoundrel!

Last night, my Annie's little truck was broke into. The villain, made a mess of her truck, pulling everything out of the glove box and box between the seats. He/she made off with her hidden ipod, chargers, & accessories. All the change in her ash tray. And of all things, stole her tiara! Annie has had her tiara since she was 12. She wears it on her birthday, and whenever she wants to be a princess. She kept it on the car dash. It is just a cheap little rhinestone crown that has no value other than sentimental. She asked, "Seriously, who would take that?" I am so ticked. Annie is so sweet. I would have rather they hit our cars/trucks. Although it appears they may have tired. There are marks from where one of those Pop-A-Lock things went in through the window-rubber part on Annie's truck. There were marks on Sergio's truck, but Annie's must have been easier to manipulate. Looks like they tired to get Sergio's wheel rims.

The dogs have been jumpy. Several nights they went off, but we never saw anyone when they would and sometimes we just called them back in our room. Last night they slept through the night! We have had some hits on our street lately. We still think we are safe back in New Palestine. We forget how the city can be. Although in all fairness, our neighborhood in NP also was hit several times. Sergio claims to be sleeping in the Living Room tonight, thinking they will be back to finish his truck. I doubt it.
We feel violated once again. I really don't like this area. Some of the neighbors are so nice, but, I am anxious to move on and out!
I actually said a prayer for whoever did this. Really that is all I can do. (Yes, we had Annie file a report to the Police.) We lock our doors, have three loud watch dogs (okay, yes I realize they slept through it this time!) I am mad, but I think of how many things that could have been worse, and I am thankful, Annie is okay, Emily is okay, Sergio & I are okay, and our lovies, the cats & dogs are okay.So, chin up and carry on!

One More Post About the Snow!

I know, I know, I have already posted about the snow. More than once this week. But, you have to understand, we, Hoosiers, and many other Snow Country People, love our snow. We complain about the driving in it, and the problems that can come with it, however, if you ever grew up in snowy weather, you get it.

There is truly something magical about it. It glistens, it sparkles and it is just so darn pretty! The sun shines on it and it stays brighter through the day. In the morning, and especially at night. It can be so therapeutic to just watch it. Also watching the children play in it. Instead of cleaning the house, (as I should be doing), I have been mesmerized watching two boys around 12 years old working feverish on a snow ramp for their bikes. While other boys their age across the nation are playing Wii, they choose to fight the cold and use creativity and build this incredible adventure.

I also want to show you the difference between "Dog/Kid yards" and "No Dogs/Kids yards". One of these yards is my neighbors and the other is mine! Taken from the same window facing different angles. Need I say more? At least I can look at the pretty yard!