Sneak Peak of Photo Shoot

Uh huh. I guess Nico really isn't on board with COA #4. The little monster was not having our annual Valentine's Day photo shoot today. Not. One. Bit. 

Maybe the President's Day shoot will go better?

2013 According to Nico

Ciao tutti! Questo Nico. My mom said domani was the wrong answer when she asked when I'd update my posts. Then took away Baby Mouse! Allora...

I left Baby Mouse outside. We wanted to be in the sun. Then I wanted treats and forgot he was outside.  He was mad at me the next morning.

My mom brought home Baby Mouse's fratello, but I don't like him. Baby Mouse says we have to play nice, but I don't wanna.

Mom yelled at me. She found my footprints in the oven.

My tree house is not done. Mom is lazy. I hope Aunt Jess comes back soon to finish what she started.

I don't like photo shoots. Mom already mentioned a green hat and bunny ears. Time to hide.

I like to sleep in the middle of the big bed downstairs. Exactly in the middle. It's warm.

When it's really cold I hide my face in the couch.

There is a new window in our house. It's fun to watch.

Va bene? Buono.
Baci,
Neeks

Il gattino ha uno anno

Look who is 1! Okay, maybe he's older than that, but today we celebrated his "Gotcha Day." It makes me smile to think about how much he's grown and changed over the last year...

Granted, he still loves the fire place but no longer as a place to hide, but as his main route in/out of the kitchen.

Crinkling paper still produces the better results than calling his name, but he knows his name (and all the variations of it).

Mr. Rat is now approx 1/5 his size, rather than 1/2.

And perhaps most important, my Little Prince has learned to share attention and even make friends (both feline and human) so he had a few guests over to join his celebration!

It's Nico Time!

Yes, I agree- too many posts have passed without Nico updates. I know you all think that I'm crazy for how much I talk about him (and to him), but it's been confirmed by my siblings- he's a kooky cat with lots of personality.

Although I think it's the heat getting to both of us we had some good "mommy & me" time this afternoon sitting on the living room floor (the tiles are cool) while the AC shot cold air down on us. I know he's feel good because we had multiple toys brought out of their safe hiding places. Then again maybe he is hoping that his aunt and uncle reappear?

 

 

 

Non mi piacciono i gattini...

...e ancora per qualche motivo ce ne sono due in casa mia!

My mom thinks this is her kingdom, but I'm really in charge. I mean, I'm the one who is here every day making sure our kingdom is safe against geckos, flies, and other bugs while she's off slaving away in some distant land. So what was she thinking bringing 2 fluffy things that somewhat resemble Mr. Rat? 

I didn't like them at all and I had no problem telling everyone within earshot with my growls, hisses, and yells. Luckily we had a spare room that they could disappear into so I didn't have to share my bed with them. Or my food bowls. Or my litter box. Or any of my toys...although I saw mom sneak a few of my old ones into their room but I did a rescue mission when they were all up stairs. 

Mom was pretty good about "separate but equal" spaces and time...but then Aunt Jess showed up. Apparently these are my kitty cousins? No lo so and no one asked me if I wanted my cousins to visit! Once she arrived the kittens had free reign of the house, but mom sided with me a lot more. Luckily by this point the gattini had their collars on so I could hear them coming and even stalk them. 

By the end of day 3 with them here I stopped hissing because I found that it was more fun to let them get close enough to bop them on the head and chase them. Of course I picked on Stripey because she's cute and a lot smaller than Blackie. But even by dinner time all 3 of us were running around the roof and it was exhausting! 
They all left this morning and I hope I don't see them for a while. Unfortunately I think I heard my mom talking with Aunt Jess and it sounds like they will be back for a lot longer during the summer. 

The Bloggin' Process

From time to time I just pick a random post and relive my adventure. In doing so, I realized that the number of posts from the 1st 6 months significantly outnumber the 2nd 6 months. I guess I need a lot more to be blog inspired these days? But then when I am inspired, I'm really inspired and it takes hours to write one of those things (mainly due to editing, which I know isn't 100%).

These pictures were taken over an hour time frame while writing up on the Barcelona trip and I think it was only the first half of a post. Note the attitude transition of "are you really still typing? I just brought you a toy to play fetch" to the "oh the agony" to the final picture of resignation. Not pictured- the psycho kitty I had bouncing off furniture and leaping over stairs after his nap.

At any rate, I really do want to keep the blog posts going so I'll start entertaining questions again! Send your questions about Italy my way and I'll see what sort of fun I can have with them.

Nico's Note

Ciao a tutti! 

Non ci sono nuovi scritti oggi, siamo impegnati sul patio. 

Ho scoperto un panorama ancora più oggi, mentre la mamma fa la sua lista per la Spagna.

Ciao, ciao, e miao. 

Baci,

Nico 

Ma chi si crede di essere?

Voglio dire, realmente! Ma chi si crede di essere?

•  
• Primo, she leaves me with complete strangers (some of them pretty close to the floor like me) + Joe for 3 weeks.
• Secondo, she picks me up but leaves me tutto solo from when it's dark to when it's dark again.
• Poi, on the days she used to sleep in she's getting up when it's dark and coming back smelling like my friend Ginny's house and those strangers.
• Ieri sera dopo che lei a casa, I found this on her computer!  Prossima volta, I better get to go too!



La Vida Dolce

Well, I'm back in Italia and all smiles. Granted the return trek was a little long, okay a lot, but worth every mile as I looked out my window to the brilliant urban sprawl next to the sparkly blue sea. My landmark recognition of Napoli is still nothing compared to my Monterey skill set but I spotted a few! Like normal my suitcases were among the last to get off the plane but they arrived and were quickly loaded up into my car because I had a kitty to go rescue!

Signore Nico was all purrs but a little sad to leave the newest members of his fan club- even the littlest one who grabbed his tail with every pet. The problem was easily solved with I promised him roof access as soon as we got home since he'd been house bound for 3 weeks. Well, the roof and letting him ride shot gun on the way home kept him happy. When we got to the house and had to wait for 3 cars to head out the driveway he moved to the center console and watched all the cars drive out. One of the guys commented about il gato as we waited. Yeah, just add that to the "Cat Lady 101" Handbook. I would like to state, for the record, that he was babied a little too much. Too much and I have some serious work to do

Believe it or not, the suitcases are already unpacked, laundry sorted, and I even managed to scrounge some food up in my freezer- more than the candy corn! Now my next challenge is to....stay awake until 7pm. Yep. Real challenge. 

Really. It is.

Non Ho Fatto Niente

Well, that isn't entirely true. After putting in my hours at the office, I head home  to spend some time with mia gatto.

Today's post is a tribute to my past life as Queen of the Front Office. In those days, my kingdom had windows (that's right, more than one) and I had a desk that if in my current office 3 would be expected to work at. Ah, the good old days. Things weren't always golden in that kingdom though, and when times got tough in those post lunch and "did the clock stop advancing?" times, we knew only one thing could solve the problem- a cute cat picture break.

So since I hijacked his posts (he didn't really have anything else to say) here's his photo journal of the last few days:

Left to Right: Nico discovers he can sit on the ledge and watch water drain. Nico loves Mr. White Rat. "Mom, we have a spider problem I think that's more important than the no jumping up here rule."

I realize that most of you think that I've already completed step one of transforming into a cat lady. I assure you, I have not. I know I talk way too much about this little guy, but he's so stinkin' cute and too entertaining to not tell you about his adventures.

And besides, it's still il gatto not i gatti so I'm good.

Really?

Here we are day number too many without hot water. I'm quickly learning that domani doesn't necessary mean "tomorrow" but more like some time in the future. I guess with the holidays this week they are having an issue tracking down the necessary part for the repair. Well, maybe. I haven't actually heard from Fabio today with an update and now at 1130 I probably shouldn't call...but again, super motivating for getting up in the morning to hit the gym. We'll see how tomorrow fares since it's so late and my alarm goes off at 430.

Today was once again one of those days I caught myself asking "really?" far too many times. Yes. These days seem to happen a lot here...it's an Italian thing. Must be. Don't get me wrong; it's not always a bad thing and sometimes it's entertaining.

Yes. Entertaining.

Reviewing travel  (authorizations and vouchers) unfortunately still falls as one of my tasks out here. 1 January I'm implementing the official "Gold Star" award system because a) I want the travelers to realize the volume of requests we deal with and b) for folks that travel 3+ times a month they really should have perfect vouchers and they don't. I've teased for months now that I only see a few gold star vouchers a month and since they actually talk about it I figure why not? It's all part of my "help me, help you" workplace attitude.

At any rate, while reviewing, returning, and pounding my head in over these authorizations and vouchers today I had to stop and just laugh. Why? One of our guys had submitted a (legit) claim for $0.72 or you know, 1 euro for parking. Worse part? We require substantiating records (receipts) for all expenses (not just like the rest of the Navy and ignore >$75) AND (oh yeah, I'm not done yet) he hadn't check what he uploaded or else he would have seen the blank page. Yep. I had to email him and admit it was ridiculous but that didn't change the fact that I needed him to spend more than $.72 of his time on it and re scan the receipt. In fact, I think the time we spent talking about it in our office far exceeded $72 in wages but it was rather entertaining. Sorry tax payers...I know these aren't the stories you want to hear. 

Speaking of entertaining please sit back and read the final chapter of Signore Nico vs. Mr. Lizard. (Um yeah, because it really was like a horror movie that you never escape.)

When you last left,  Nico had given me a Halloween trick; a lizard knocking on death's door in my entry way. After distracting him with some new toys, I figured out a way to collect the lizard without ever touching it and took in on the patio. He was tucked under a large planter and blocked off with a few weeds.

This evening I was apparently not paying too much attention to him while he was outside, so when I headed up to call him in I really shouldn't have been too shocked to see what he had found for me. But I was. (I'm telling you, it's a reflex when I see a lizard.) Yep. He found Mr. Lizard, now really dead and partially desiccated and brought him back- again. I've got to say, Nico is very determined with his hunting. Best part? I think he found the missing tail while he was also outside so in one FINAL I can't touch this lizard paper shuffle ceremony all of Mr. Lizard was buried in the trash before it went out to the street for early AM pick up.

And if Nico finds him again I just may need to go visit the priest across the street!

Field Trip Day!

Buon giorno! Sto morendo di fame e la mamma ha preso il mio cibo distanza. Spero davvero che ovunque andiamo c'è cibo e un batuffolo di carta sarebbe stato troppo bello.

"Sorry- I had a lizard situation"

Yeah, I realize that sounds ridiculous but the kids got a laugh out of it as their coach ran onto the field just a few minutes before game time.

"A lizard situation?"

Yes. A lizard situation.

(Don't adjust your computer screen, those waves are to signal the flash back.)

After a super slow start to my Saturday due to a 1pm kick off, I pulled weeded the large flower pot on the patio while Nico chased butterflies. It was a great bonding time and well overdue with my guilt near an all time high with all the early morning closing of the door while he sit there with a "don't I get to go look?" combined with all the vet trips. When I realized that the time in my head was the time I need to be there, not leave, I dashed off to take a cold shower...oh yeah. This was day #2 of no hot water. Yes, I should call someone to take a look at that but I'm determined to trouble shoot it on my own...when I have time.

Dressed and make up on (can't have anyone else mistaking me as a 16 year old), I realized I hadn't seen Nico. Eh, no biggie- he's probably outside in his planter soaking up some sun.

Wrong.

As I reached the top of my stairs I saw him staring at the oven. Hmm. Did I drop a piece of eggplant from my pizza? 

Wrong again.

He'd finally captured the lizard that  lived here before either of us and had him pined under his paw. I scooped Nico up and as he wiggled and clawed to the best of his ability, I took him downstairs and threw him in my room. Of course as soon as I removed the cat threat, Mr. Lizard wedged himself between my kitchen cabinet and wall. Crud.

When I made it back up the stairs I was freaked out about a lizard in my kitchen. Icky ick ick. So I took a box (since I have a surplus) and walled off the rest of the kitchen with it and a towel...in hopes that the lizard would use this path through my laundry room out the patio door that is a metal door with lots of openings but can still be deadbolt. Hey, if they use them in nature to prevent road kill, maybe this Italian lizard would get it?

Yes. These are the things that go through my head.

At any rate, it was a great soccer match- the Blue Dragons added another win to their season and they actually applied what we taught them in practice!

When I got home, I was still freaked out by the fact there may be a lizard in my kitchen but I was tired (it was hot in the sun) and crashed on the couch. Nico still doesn't get this nap time but he will one day. When I finally woke up once again Nico was MIA.

Seriously, his collar with a bell needs to arrive ASAP.

After searching downstairs, upstairs, and the roof I heard a little "miao" (remember- he's Italian). Once again going on the roof, I saw him pacing on the neighbor's patio, apparently stuck. With some spider like abilities I got as close as I could to him, but the dork wouldn't jump up on the platform. Then I realized that not only is there a window, but also a door from our main stairwell to this balcony area. I had to un-barricade the door but I rescued him.

As I told a coworker later, who needs the Fire Department? Although...

Proud (Kitty) Mama Moment

Today Nico had his first vet appointment. I don't think he knew what his day had in store as we drove out of our drive way at 615 this morning. He was rather upset that he had to be in his carrier, but the unknown of what type of cat I'd have while driving through the gate, and images of Nico hopping out the window kept flashing through my mind made me do it.

He was a great guard cat with formerly White Rat, while I was trying to cram way too much into my morning before it was time to head out to his appointment. As we drove to the other base I let him run around so of course he curled up on my lap....I guess he was cold since it was rather cold and rainy today. Although he wasn't thrilled to get back in his carrier, he did and into the dog filled waiting room we went.

How was Nico? Fabulous. He gave each of those dogs the stare down and didn't hiss, growl, or meow....not even when the Lady look alike got super close to his cage! When it was our time to head back he walked out on the table as to say "okay, I'm here Doc...do your best" as he walked right onto the scale. He's 6.25 pounds. In between being poked, prodded, and violated he kept his teeth and claws to himself.

With a few tags, a negative reading on the big 3, & several admirers Nico loaded back up into the crate and once again got in the car. We had two more stops before heading back to the office and after each one he was sitting on the seat staring out the window for me. Like a dog. As we got back to my office I promised him only a little longer- an hour at max.

Good thing cats can't tell time! I didn't mislead him too badly and freed him from his prison for the drive home. By the time it was really rainy so he enjoyed watching the rain fall on the windows from his co-pilot seat.

Hours later my baby kitty is still following his normal afternoon schedule of tearing around the apartment, racing me up the stairs, and tracking me down when he realizes I've left the room. If he can face all of this he can totally survive being home alone right? Time to go start "Nico proofing" the house.

Nico's First Overnight!

I may possibly have the strangest cat ever.

Tonight once I made it downstairs to the car with him in his carrier and his overnight bag the little dork wouldn't shush. Feeling horrible that he'd been alone for over 12 hours (even though Jess ran him around this morning) I let him out of his crate. After the initial 3 minutes of looking out the window and checking out the car he just plopped down in the passenger seat. My cat is awesome. He was just sitting there talking to me- probably telling me just what he thought of me leaving him alone all day. I told him he's in for a busy next 2 days with the Robinson kids plus their new little fur ball.

It's really hard for me to be the only one in the house but it is sort of nice to not fear for my life while going up or down the stairs. *Sigh* What's a girl to do? A) I realize I'm talking way to much about this cat to be healthy and B) I love to travel but leaving him behind is just too much. M&D- be warned, he just may be headed home with me whenever that may be :)

Signore's Sixty Second Segment

Signore's Sixty Second Segment

Ciao! Mi chiamo Signore Nico "Beep" Gatto Oropeza.
Sono di Pozzouli, Italia.
Ha 4 meses. Sono un gatto blanco e grigio.
Mi piache dormire, correre (sulle tetto), mangiare, parlare con mio madre, e abusare scarpe.
. . . .
Sorry, he just got distracted by something on the patio...most likely the lizard. I've come to the conclusion that the lizard taunts poor Nico all day which is why he doesn't shut up until I let him out there in the evening.

We've made it through 3 weeks of living together and the little guy is getting even bigger. Over the weekend both Joe and I noticed that he's bigger just after a few days. I guess he has to eat all that food to fuel both his growing and tearing around the house chasing insects and scraps of paper...although today he doesn't seem like eating; I may have created a monster by sharing some of the chicken with him this weekend. (And I totally have a stamp card for the place now...buy 9 chickens get one free!)

As you can see he has a name, yet I keep calling him Kitty. I think that "scarpe" needs to be worked into his name some how though because he's obsessed with my shoes. I get why he likes my running shoes (I mean who wouldn't want to play with those glowing laces?), but my heels and sandals are beyond me. He will always put his paws in them and it looks like he's trying them on. Hey, he is Italian so I guess fashion is ingrained in him?  No lo so. (I think my parents are right...I always pick the special ones.)

That Darn Cat

Those of you who have spent enough time with me that qualche volta I tend to over dramatize things. I assure you, this is not one of those times. The following account is exactly what I saw, heard, did, felt. (If you want alternative accounts please interview Signore Nico BP or check my FB status from yesterday for Michele & Evan’s ideas on what may have happened.)

It was a dark, stormy morning in MdP. I actually got up when my alarm went off at 0400 resulting in a few minutes to open up the upstairs windows/doors to let the cool air blow through the house. I headed out on the patio as my coffee brewed to check out the town and watch the lightning. Signore Nico followed when he realized the rain had stopped falling.  

When I headed in to prepare my coffee and other food for the day, Signore Nico apparently stayed out.  No big deal I thought as I decided to close the windows back up and got ready to leave for the day figuring he could have a few more moments of freedom before being put on house arrest. After 5 minutes I still hadn’t seen him reappear or heard his meow, so I called for him.

No response.

Checked upstairs- no kitty.

Walked half way down the stairs, called, and listened- no kitty.

Sigh. Where is that cat? I need to get to the gym.

Head back out to the patio with the lights now on I called him again because there were still lots of shadows he could be in.

Meooooooow.

Kitty?

Meow. Meow. Meow.

At this point I realized that he hadn’t jumped down from the stairs (to a place I can get him with a little climbing) but decided to follow the stairs up. To the roof. As in, no walls to prevent the dork from falling 4 stories, not to mention slick due to all the rain and exposed to the strong gusts of wind. I should also mention that although I’ve climbed to many ledges, buildings, and even gone sky diving heights creep me out. I like to be well away from the edge.

So where was kitty? Clear across the building looking down to the street below.

As soon as he saw me heading up, he decided to prance along the roof, working his way across to my neighbor’s side but still clear across from where I was.  After a few steps I realized that I really didn’t want to be up there in the wind, in the dark, and on a roof that potentially was water logged.  Besides, I really didn’t want to wake up my neighbors with my footsteps on the roof. I think is probably when the lightning started up again.

What did I do?

Walked back inside, hoping he would follow.

Did he?

Of course not. Why would he?

Realizing that I couldn’t leave him out all day (although at this point I really wanted to) I went back with a pack of food. Problem is he doesn’t know the sound of the food packet yet so I couldn’t just tap it and have him get to where he needed to be.

After a few steps of caution towards him (since he was now on the “lower roof” about 3 feet below the main one) I guess the wind was helping me and sent the stink of wet cat food to the corner of the roof where he was. Meow, meow, meow. He headed right over, but wouldn’t jump up so while he was distracted by the food I grabbed him and carefully went down the tiled steps back to our patio and threw him in the house. I also grounded him. He’s not allowed outside a few days. I think he knows this too since that’s where he wanted to go first thing this morning. Really?! Like that’s going to happen.

Happy Tuesday to me. Oh how things have changed since uniform Tuesdays. (And since we’re talking uniforms can I just once again express how disappointed I am with the lack of Army uniforms out here?)

So there’s the real story. I’m sure it was hilarious to any on-looker but extremely frustrating for me in my first 30 minutes of being awake. I could deal with his disappearing act before but this one crosses the line so I need to figure out how to kitty proof the patio. I’ll just add it to the list. Hey, maybe that’s a way I can get rid of some of the packing materials I keep creating with every box I unpack? I see it now “creative use of cardboard”…

Signore's Sixty Second Segment

Okay, trying not to be a "cat lady" but we all know I love kitties and I'm so happy that Signore moved in with me. He's been here 2 weeks and is definitely settling in. No, he doesn't like being home alone for 12+ hours and he sure let's me know that when I walk in the door, but he's such a goof ball and can always be appeased with some food.

Of course he is also a little demon at times. He's made it his goal in life to destroy the "spider plant" on the patio. Luckily those plants are hardy & super easy to find if I need to replace it in 3 years time. He and my teddy bear are still not friends so I gave him another stuff animal. I'm not sure if you've seen the monkey blog or not (from the same lady who wrote the one about the metal chicken) but I think Signore did. I mean, he's determined to kill the thing!

Over all he's a trooper and I'm trying my hardest not to baby him. He's pretty good when it comes to noise as our apartment is never very quiet between scooters, voices, and the bells. Yes, the fireworks did cause him to jump and also today's storm had him going crazy. Some reason he wanted out in the rain too. I guess just so he could continue to meow? The wind making the patio roof shake finally sent him dashing to the safety of the kitchen but he still wasn't 100% sure he wanted to be inside, even if I told him he did.

We've also discovered what kind of fun tile floors can be when I spin him around and am easily able to pull him out from under my bed. He loves it because his toys go flying. Yep. He loves to run. He's also a pro at waking me up when he hears my alarm going off in the morning. Hmmm. Alarm going off in the morning. Yeah, I probably should take his toy away from him so I can try to get to sleep before the wind and thunder start back up.

I am still taking name suggestions...there is a slight chance that I'm going TDY next week and if I'm leaving him with one of his adoring fans he needs to have a name. Nico right now is the front runner with the nickname of BP (clearly pronounce Beep).

Babysitting with Signore

Last night Signore and I were both up late hanging out with the Robinson kids. Yep. My cat went babysitting with me- how awesome is that? I was already impressed with Signore when he decided that he was over crying 3 minutes into our drive. (Seriously, I just may start taking him out for drives so our trek to the vet won't be bad and he gets used to his crate.)

At any rate, I'm not sure who was babysitting who. The youngest 3 made it their job to make sure that "quidy" was happy. They even made him a play area with their blocks and sacrificing belts as their "cat fishing poles." It was too much fun and the best part was he was beyond ready for bed when we got home.

A win win? You bet!