Cats know when you're not feeling well

My apologies for the absence of recent posts; the girls are fine!
I was under the weather with a rare spring cold, the onset of which occurred after Lauren and Alden departed on Saturday.  Remarkably, I received care visits and consideration from both of them. And, I obtained rare photographic evidence of just how sweet Nala can be!
Hans, Mia, and Nala in Palatine

Missing them

So here's a different cutie.

Cats ok, Hans has been sick

Posts coming from Hans. He's been sick and has lots of stories about the girls.....

Tuxedo cat

This is for Andi.  Does she look like Xena?

Alden and I are in PA

Alden and I made it safely to my folks in PA. I am so happy I have my tech. guy with me--Alden. He just hooked up the wifi, changed the batteries in Dad's Apple keyboard, loaded google chrome on Dad's computer, and is now teaching mom how to turn on/off subtitles on netflix. I will call Hans to see how the girls are doing! He knows how to work the blog, so I am hoping to see some pictures!

Also showed Dad the website library of babel. Check out the video on Vsauce about it. Dad successfully thwarted the website when he suggested we put in an e.e. cummings poem--which we did. Punctuation is important.

Hope to update with info on the girls soon.... Lauren

Nala is fully charged

These are pictures of Nala when she is fully charged. Hans and I both took these pictures.
As you can see, the plug-in Nala is now fully charged and ready for action!

Nala glows all night!

Full charging allows for play activity!

Nala plays with her toy!

Victory last night as Nala began to play with one of her toys!

Paper

Full recycling bin

Broken down boxes 

Who knew kitty litter could be so handy

From the framed art 

Mornings are good

Both girls are up and ready for food when I get up at 5:00. So I'm having luck with the morning feeding. By the time I  come home, Mia is under her cabinet and likes me to bring her dinner to her (on a special flat china plate) that can easily be pushed under the cabinet to her. We play the kibbible game, but then I push the rest of her food under and watch her eat. My neck has a kink in it.

Here are some pictures of the girls:

Both eating breakfast together on Tuesday morning. They also like to play with their water at night. In the morning, there is water all over the place!

Nala comes out to the kitchen in the morning! Such a brave girl!

Mia this morning after breakfast. She likes to sit on that first stair--ready to escape to the family room and her cabinet, or race back for some more food.

This morning's successful feeding!

We had a good morning. When I got up, both girls were in the hallway and both came out and said hello to me. Mia meowed, Nala wanted brushing. Both stayed around and I was able to feed them together!

However, Nala hissed at Mia. This is the second time that I caught this. The first time was shortly after Mia had claimed the downstairs and discovered the ugly cabinet. I thought Nala had just forgotten that her buddy Mia was there and was hissing because she was scared and unsure. This morning it only happened once, then they sniffed each other and they were good. I wonder if there is a bit of territorial positioning going on. We'll keep an eye on that because that is no good.

The success of this mornings feeding:

Nala rediscovers a traveling box

Hans and I were cleaning up the girl's room. After we were done, we discovered that Nala was in one of the boxes with her toys! She's looking in the direction of Hans--giving him the "you are an ax murderer stare!"

Mia's paw is faster than my camera!

Well, this weekend I had a hard time getting Mia out from under the ugly cabinet. So I had to feed her there and give her water there as well. I know she comes out at night time, but we were unsuccessful at getting her out during the day. So, The Kibbible game continued.

This time I put a small plate of food right by the cabinet in the hopes that Mia would come out. What came out was Mia's lightening paw! I tried to get it on my camera, but she was too fast! The paw came out, scooped up some food, and withdrew with the food.

I also think that Mia is right handed. I did an experiment with the placement of the kibbibles to see whether she would use her left paw or her right pay. Most often the right paw shot out.

And you can see the paw--kibbibles are already under the paw!

Happy Mia!

Nala removed from behind the washer/dryer

Hans finally forced Nala out from behind the washer and dryer. She is up in our bedroom under the bed tomight. I just brushed her and we had a lovely conversation. Surprisingly, she is not totally covered in lint. She was purring and looking toward the outside window. I again told her that if she comes out during the day, we can show her birds and squirrels! She also ate food.

Mia was fed again under her hutch in the family room. She got her medicine. And, I was able to get a plate of her dry food under the hutch so she could eat more than one piece at a time! We also played the Kibbibble game again--her paw is very fast!

I am happy tonight because both girls have been seen by me and I got to talk to both of them. Hans says they came out today and ran from room to room. So I think all is good. Nothing makes me happier than knowing that everyone in the house is ok!

I sent a text message to Logan the other day asking if he was still alive. Haven't heard back yet. See? If everyone under one roof is good, that is a good day! I have a sneaking suspicion that Logan just went through Spring Break at CU eating Ramen for 3 meals a day--not good considering his Great Aunt is only a few blocks away.

Sometimes cats are easier to take care of than people. When Nancy gets the girls home, they will expect to be fed where they are. Nancy, you'll have to bring the food to them. I'm sorry. I've failed. A bad influence.

Alden becomes possessive

Overheard Alden talking on the phone to a friend: "one of our cats is hiding behind the washing machine and dryer."

Notice: One of OUR cats.

Oh Nancy, the handoff will be rough. I think I'll bring Alden and he can practice driving for compensation. That will work!

Mia and her kibbibles

Nala behind the dryer

Not happy about this. Is that a spade down there with her? Hans took this picture. I had to crawl on top of the machines to even see. Hans says that's a sugar shovel. Don't even ask.

Mia finds running water--at midnight

Last night Mia scared me to death when I got up for the bathroom around midnight. Cats do not understand privacy--so in the bathroom she came. I put her up on the counter and turned on the water. Mia spent about 15 minutes playing in the water, dipping her paw under it, drinking, and soaking her head. Then, I needed to go back to sleep. She was happy.

Mia and Nala update

Well, for the past 2 days Nala has been freaking me out. She has discovered a hiding place that none of us can find. I didn't see her till late last night when she came running down the hall to her room. Tonight, Hans found her new hiding place and we aren't happy. She is getting behind the washer and dryer--which is a very dirty place. There is plenty of room for her to get back there between the wall and the washing machine. She has enough room to turn around, and I imagine it is a very safe place for her.

Mia has been up and down today. She goes back and forth between Hans' study and under the ugly cabinet in the family room. Today, Hans got Mia to take her morning fur ball medicine and Mia came out in the afternoon and jumped on Hans' lap! Amazing! Alden was even able to play with Mia when she was under the cabinet. I was also able to brush Mia yesterday.

Nancy, Mia, and Nala

..are now the proud owners of a new home!!! Yeah!!! Congratulations Nancy!!! The girls will be with us until the coast is clear and things are set up in Fort Wayne. I keep telling them this is a vacation and they are going to see Nancy at the new house, but I don't think they believe me.

Hans plays with girls

Jut got home and Hans told me he was "playing with the girls." Both of them? I asked. "Well yes, I think so. There were 3 arms batting the toy." Both Nala and Mia were under the ugly little hutch downstairs. Hans was using one of their wand toys. They were mighty stealth hunters but they wouldn't come out.

In other news, Hans found evidence that they are getting on the sofa in the living room and probably sleeping or lying around--maybe even looking out the window--Cat Hair!!!! Yeah!!! So happy!

Look at the cat hair--not at the old beat up and worn out sofa. There be cats here!!!

Deer

No cats here, just deer!

Excellent morning with Nala and Mia!

After not seeing Mia last night at all, tensions were high with me this morning. The anxiety began to creep back in. Did Mia escape? Has she not come out and is she starving and dehydrated under a piece of furniture somewhere? But early this morning, I shamelessly coaxed Mia out of Hans' office with the crinkly sound of the beloved bag of snack treats!

Then, Nala came out from under our bed. Nala and Mia both ate food. Because I didn't want to miss the opportunity of seeing them both together, I fed them this morning in the hallway.

After eating, Mia decided that she really does like the stairs. Hans even left the hall closet open in case they wanted to hide in there.

Nala followed Mia, and they both headed downstairs for an explore after their nice breakfast.  I haven't seen them together in many days, so it is good they have found each other. Although, I know they are probably exploring and hanging out together at night. In fact, Hans said one of them was looking out the window last night, but in the dark he couldn't tell which one it was.

Photographic update: Alden has an encounter with Mia

I have pictures to update! And, last night Nala came out from under the bed and let me brush her. We talked for a long time and she purred! Mia, that little rascal, was nowhere to be seen! I think she has discovered the spot under the desk in Hans' office.

Here are some pictures with more updates to follow:

Alden trying to coax Mia out from under an ugly cabinet in the family room.

The beginning of stealthy Ninja Mia looking at that scrumptious treat in Alden's hand.

And, the temptation is too great!

Yes! Mia eats!  And Alden was able to give her the hairball medicine too! But even though they had a nice conversation, Mia wouldn't come out. Under this ugly cabinet is actually more room than it looks on the lip. So Mia has a lovely hiding place!

Twitby and Loverly

I was telling my Mom about my fear this weekend that Nala and Mia had gotten out of the house because I couldn't find them.

We then recalled the story about when she and my father took care of their friends parakeets, Twitby and Loverly (from My Fair Lady--get it? Wouldn't it be loverly?)

These were 2 birds that meant a great deal to their friends. So Mom and Dad took them in while the friends were on vacation. Low and behold, one morning Twitby is upside down on the bottom of the cage. Mom and Dad were devastated. What had they done wrong? Dad suggested that they go out and buy another bird that looked just like Twitby and just put it in the cage and not tell the friends. After all, it was just a little bird and how would they know? They agonized over what to do and how to break the terrible news to their friends when they returned home. My parents came to the conclusion that they just couldn't buy another bird and not tell the friends. They would have to sit the friends down and tell them what happened and apologize. Finally, the friends arrived to claim their birds. Dad said to the woman: "We have some very bad news.  Twitby died. We don't know what happened, we followed the directions, but he died. We are so sorry. We'd be happy to replace the bird for you." The woman responded, "Oh no, I'm glad you didn't replace Twitby. I hated that bird and I'm glad it's dead."

Don't worry Nancy--the girls are fine!!!! But Mom and I laughed again recalling the tale of Twitby and Loverly!

update today

Yesterday Nala came out and let me brush her. She jumped up on the bed and purred and was very happy. Mia stayed downstairs in the family room. Updated pictures coming.....

Mia and Nala are making me nervous--doing what cat's do.

Well, I had a scare yesterday morning because I couldn't find either of the girls! Alden and Hans were like, "Mom, they're cats, they are hiding, they are still in the house, they are fine!" But you know me!

So I went on a hunt and looked under everything. I got down on the floor with a flashlight, I called their names, I called "where are my girls?" just like you do. No luck, no meows.

Then, I looked in the closet in Logan's room. And there was Nala! How she got into the closet I don't know. The doors were closed, but they are the kind that pull/push on themselves. Hans says he had opened the doors, but he didn't think any cat got in. Anyway, she came out, I made sure she ate, she jumped up on the bed and purred, and I brushed her a ton! She loved getting brushed and sat in the sun and purred and we talked and she was very happy.

Then, I needed to find Mia. No Ninja kitty for me. I finally got smart and crinkled the snack bag. I went from room to room. Finally, downstairs, I hear a little cat jump and there she is! Hans knew she liked hiding in the bookcase downstairs, but I couldn't ever find her. So yesterday he showed me where she lies. She is on a second shelf behind the Harry Potter books! I think she is Professor McGonagall in disguise!

She has a great hiding place and she can see out, but it is hard to see her!

Anyway I was spent after my worries. Last night I got up to go to the bathroom and they were both in the hall by the top of the stairs. Hans is right, they do move around at night! This morning--cat litter everywhere! (even in the water bowls!). So they have been eating and pooping and peeing and roaming free.

Yesterday I tried to entice them each to a sunny windowsill. First Nala, then Mia. There were squirrels outside, and they could sit in the lovely sunlight and watch those silly creatures run all over the place, but they didn't like it and ran away.

Morning update

After the lovely time I had with Nala last night, she retreated to the litter box again. Shucks. However, she was out the box this morning! Mia was hiding last night, but in the middle of the night she came upstairs to our bedroom and meowed. At first I thought she was Nala, but when I felt her tail I knew it was Mia. I talked to her and petted her and even picked her up and put her on the bed, but she didn't stay. She was on an explore.

Hans renames Nancy's cats

Hans decided Nancy's cats need new names:

Nala should be named Stealthy
Nala crawls around in the dark and explores. She eats mostly in the dark and hides. Hans thinks she does more exploring than we think.


Mia should be named Ninja
Mia has the surprise attacks and jumps out at Hans. Then she hides.

Mia and Nala's excellent day and evening

Good news!

Mia played with Hans with string today. This evening, Nala was back in her litter box, but when we cleaned up we pulled her out and put her on her special cat bed. This is on a desk, which they can easily get up on. They can lie in it and look out the window. I brushed Nala for a good 20 minutes! And...she purred! Then, Nala was treated to stinky cat food and she ate it. Then, instead of running back to the litter box, she sat in her bed and cleaned herself.

At the moment, Mia is downstairs in her special hiding place under the cabinet. She also ate today!

Here are some pictures I got of Queen Nala: I may have to update her diary tomorrow.

Something a bit different this morning

This morning, Nala was NOT in her litter box. She was under the bed. This is good! Mia was....nowhere to be seen. Hans will look for her.

Latest update: Mia finds many dark places to hide

Yesterday, Mia pounced on Hans' hanging bathrobe tie and Nala visited him in his office by pushing open the door. We know that at least one of them has explored the bathroom, because Hans found kitty litter on the sink counter.

It took me over an hour to find Mia last night. She was hiding under a cabinet in the family room in the far corner. Last night, I heard kitty movement, and this morning Mia is in our bedroom in a corner, under a curtain, right next to the sliding door. Unfortunately, her butt is to the window. If she'd only turn around she could see outside!

And this morning Nala is again in one of the litter boxes. Tonight, Hans and I will try to brush her. I don't think they are enjoying their excellent adventure. I think I should have called the blog "Mia and Nala's scary time in a house of horrors."

Last night's success!

Hans got the girls some small cans of stinky cat food--Fancy Feast. I gave them each a small plate--about 1/4 of the can each. Both came out and ate! When Alden got home from Driver's Ed, he went in to see the girls. Mia was on the table, on Nancy's pink t-shirt, looking out the window! She was very friendly to Alden and let him pet her a lot! We found Nala in our bedroom over in a corner by where I was sleeping, hiding under the bottom of the curtain. Both girls did some roaming last night. Nala even pushed the door open to Hans' study and went in and said hello! Mia roamed around and came into the bedroom and announced herself! She let me pick her up and put her on the bed, but then jumped down.

This morning, Nala was back under her bed and we haven't found Mia yet--but she's there somewhere. Hans will give them the medicine. They also have eaten more food, so I think all is good!

Alden get pictures on his iPad!

Alden was able to get some good pictures this evening. Here they are--Nala in one of the litter boxes, Mia in the corner with the Pheromones.

That's Alden's foot in the picture. And--Nala just licked Alden's finger!

Update from Hans

Hans says the door is open. He thinks they are getting too much of the pheromone diffuser, so he opened the door. Hopefully one of them will venture out. Hans says they are missing the squirrels and a big hawk that has his eyes on a big juicy squirrel. The dining room window awaits!

Notes from Nala's diary

It has been a day since I was kidnapped from my nice home and Mother Nancy. I sleep in my litter box. It makes the humans sad for me. I will look at those two men knowing they are ax murderers. The lady, she betrayed us. I thought she was our friend, but she is the one who kidnapped us. I will take my medicine, but I will not explore the nice window or the rest of the house. My toys lie scattered in the room--a taunting reminder of happier days. I will not give my kidnappers the satisfaction of playing with them. My sister Mia is more friendly. She even came out once and let the kidnappers pet her. I think she might be a traitor. But I will resist.......

Early morning update

Well I didn't sleep well last night worrying about the girls. This morning, Mia is still in the little corner and Nala is still in one of the litter boxes. Hans will try to coax them out today with an open door. I'd be happy if they explored the room. I left food in the room last night, but they didn't eat it. I will see what I can do over the next hour before work.

They miss Mother Nancy!

Victory! They ate some food!

Both girls ate their  Enisyl-F stuff off my fingers. And each of them ate a little bit of food. When they stopped eating, I picked up both dishes. I will give them more in about an hour or two.

They are both curled up together, under a bookshelf, behind some plastic drawers, right next to their pheromone dispenser.

Bad picture, but here it is:

Alden and Hans have both been in to say hello with me, but they are staying away until the girls feel better.

If you could see The Girls' faces, they probably look grumpier than Bayba, the doorkeeper's cat from Hotel Aberdeen, Rome.

Cats under the bed

Both girls are now under the bed. I think this is good. We moved the pheromone diffuser into the room. They have one room with the door closed. When they feel comfortable in there, we will open the door a crack and they can have the option of exploring more of the house. Mia and Nala seem to be holding their own and I'm happy they are together under the bed. Positive steps!

You can't see them well--I didn't want to take a flash. But trust me, they are both there!

There be cats here!

The girls have their own "Nancy" smelling t-shirt and a towel with cat pheromones. Toys at the left. And a properly themed blanket for the bed.

Mia is hiding in the only place on a bookshelf that has any room for a cat.