In-Home Pet Services and House Sitting

.... well, not that bad

We actually got into a super duper nice Days Inn tonight and I'm fat and happy after a good dinner at a nice place with very friendly waitresses.

We have seen a LOT since my last blog entry. I LOVED the Redwood Forest and the Sequoia Park with it's huuuuge trees! I totally fell in love with these giants (I guess I can consider myself a tree hugger then :wink Amazing to find out that they can hold themselves in place on a shallow root system and grow that tall and big around.

(Once I return I will upload the pictures I have taken along the way)

San Francisco was the bomb including the Golden Gate Bridge, friendly people, the Sea Lions at Pier 39, oh and not to forget the funny conductor of the famous cable car we took! I have no idea how many miles we walked that day in the city but I felt my feet for at least three days after

Yasemite State Park and the Death Valley we had to drop due to running short in time but we definitely wanted to stay in Las Vegas for two nights where we walked the entire strip. The singing water fountains and the volcano where quite amazing and all the lights and shows simply mind blowing. I did some 'retail therapy'  while the kids and guys enjoyed a few hours at Circus Circus getting on every ride possible.

Of course we also played some slot machines at the Casino but just won enough to not loose any money

The Hoover Dam at 110F was our next stop, also very impressing- especially to imagine that so many people lost their lives in building this humangeous structure to make the dessert livable.

Same day in the evening we got out of the car at 69F in Flagstaff, AZ- now freezing cold after a couple of days in high heat- just to under estimate the sun at the Grand Canyon.... and get a nice sunburn

And here we are for the night.... sleepless in Albuquerque

It's been a week now since we left Killeen. We had to get to Seattle, WA to meet my family at the SeaTac International Airport Monday evening and did the trip there within 2 1/2 days going through Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado and then Washington.

Amazing how the different States switch right at the border just in their appearance! We met lots of nice and helpful people along the way

Tuesday we went to the Pike Market and the Space Needle at night, where two of my cousins (one which I had never met in person before) joined us. What an awesome view we had from up there! It was freezing cold though...at least for my taste

Wednesday we went hiking to the avalanges and ice caves northeast of Seattle and enjoyed the BBQ in the afternoon, my Aunt and Uncle had prepared for us. I haven't seen them in many many years!

Early next morning we got back on our way, down south this time, into Colorado where we climped the sand dunes and took an evelvator down into a sea lion cave (boy, it stunk;). I really love the Colorado coast with all the cliffs and the gorgeous little cities and towns along the way. I could actually see myself living there, amazed to see very modern looking homes in between all traditional houses.

Tonight we got a motel room in Crescent City which wasn't easy at all because they are having a county fair and the city is packed! It's still quite loud and I'm affraid it'll stay that way all night but we all should be tired enough not to care to much about that

I'm super excited for tomorrow to come .... Redwood Forrest and SAN FRANSISCO!!! Yeah!

Well, it's getting now really close to our big road trip through  half of the United States and I'm getting pretty exited now I must admit! Not only because I get to see my family from Germany but also because I will see a lot of the country I choose to live in.

Still trying to get everything in place to have it easy on Simone which will 'take over' while I'm gone, it seems like I keep finding tasks as I go down my list, but not to worry I'm absolutely positive that Simone will handle everything just fine and will be there for all the furry and feathery babies and their Moms and Dads.

If you haven't met Simone in person yet and you would like to book services in August please,

don't hesitate to call for an introductory meeting!

It took us quite some time, and with 14 cats it's not really easy anymore to think of any names but FINALLY they all have one now;)!

'Caruso' had his pretty fast, it just took me a couple of days after he was the very first discovering his voice, so I thought the name of the Italien opera singer would be a great fit;). Then there is peanuts because my husband says he is seeing peanut shaped spots on her back (I still don't know where LOL).

She looks like Olivia, just her spots are darker.

Then there is 'Buttons' and the twins are called 'Slate' and 'Cuddles'. We finally know who's who, just the shade of grey will tell. No way in the dark though;)

They were living in our bedroom/ master bathroom until about a couple of days ago and now they roam the house which is quite challenging with all the other cats around. There is lots of growling and howling, hissing and .... but it will be alright

At the moment there is also a guest in our home, Oliver the kitten. Smaller then our litter but he will put up with all other cats and even chases the adults if they deside not to play with him.

After he's all done he just loves to find a spot on whoever is on the couch at that particular moment and snuggle up closely.

It'll be sad when he goes back to his Mom and Dad here soon..

Olivia finally got her kittens here two nights ago. She was acting all strange and I figured it can't be far anymore... the first one actually came at 3 in the morning.

With Olivia being such a young cat herself, she was all freaked out probably not even knowing what is happening to her........ poor thing  I felt so sorry for her and couldn't help other then trying to calm her down.

After the first one it seemed to be a little easier on her and I finally was able to grab an hour our two worth of sleep and next thing I knew was seeing four little fur balls in the box. Later on there was number five

I have no names yet,  but it will eventually come to me how they would be named....... we'll see

If you want to or not you get attached to the pups and kitties you take care of, and today was the time to say 'Good Bye' to Lady and Buddy. Knowing the day would come I enjoyed our walks several times a week and it was always so delightful pulling up and them already recognizing my vehicle and complaining if I wouldn't be fast enough to get them on their leashes;)

All three of us had so much fun- Lady and Buddy gave me lots of love in return.

I still tear up when I think of the minutes to say 'Bye'..... Lady and Buddy kept running back to me as they would know it was the last time we will see each other, Lady cuddling up to me as she always would do. Rarely you see such a cuddle bug

I will miss you so much, you both. I wish you all the best and, of course, your family too! Take care!

Going out to Morgan's Point today I found myself in the middle of maybe 20 to 30 little Rudolfs....well, not real Rudolfs but hey, close enough, deer;)

I mean, they were all around my car and really close. If I would have reached out I would have probably touched one or two. It was an amazing experience and they were sooo beautyful! Even baby deer.

Later on when I came back to that spot they all just lounged there on the side of the road not even bothered by my vehicle.

Wow, I will never forget that

Well, well, well! We are expecting! Oh no, not me *lol* but our newest adition- Olivia the stray kitty. The cat community out there is probably spreading the word to come to us if they need a new home or a place to get their kittens;) 

So, our bedroom is now a kitten nursery and I guess here in about a week we will have little furr balls. Olivia eats like a dumpster truck and and walks just as funny as I did when I came close to my due date well back then with my two daughters *lol*.

.......because I got trapped in a home by a kittie lol! Boots and I played for quite a while after feeding and cleaning litter boxes but I guess he wasn't quite done or not tired enough. I took my bag and keys of the counter, turned the lights off behind me and went towards the front door, not without saying "Bye, see you tomorrow"............. there comes Boots, running to the door, staring at me and yelling up a storm (he's pretty talkative anyways;)). I really thought he is going to attack me when I approach the door any longer *lol*.

So, I had to put my stuff down and play with him for 10 more minutes......... and he was fine

..... is finally up and running! Im not the most patient person in the world and it pulled my chain a bit, checking a million times the past two days;)    

Besides that, Felix has the new (very bad habbit) to pee on our trash can! I assume it is because of our new addition Olivia in the house (which needs to be spayed here very soon) Well, I got the advise to sprinkle Pepper on the spot and it should keep the cats away............. Done so! Next thing I know Penelope comes into the kitchen, sniffs the pepper and...........rolls in it, having an absolute blast *lolol*  We'll see how Felix is going to react.....