Week 15 Countdown - Week 7 The Paw Touch That Rocked the Interwebs

Welcome to Week 7 of our 15 week countdown to retirement! (Just click over to HERE if you missed the big announcement.)

Part of the fun of our countdown is perusing some of our most favorite blog posts. The funniest years of our blog were absolutely the early years of Waffles and Katie. Those of you that have been with us all this time know their relationship was complicated. Waffles was fascinated with Katie, vying for her attention every chance he got. Katie tolerated Waffles. It's not that she didn't like him...it was more like a sister brother relationship. Or rather, the all knowing older sister and annoying little brother relationship. 

This is one of our MOST favorite funnies. In part because Katie NEVER let Waffles touch her. Like EVER. Until this. Until the infamous Paw Touch.

The Paw Touch that Rocked the World

WAFFLES:  So Boss. We've been together now for about elebenty seven years.

KATIE:  Actually, it 2 years, 8 months, 21 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes.

WAFFLES:  That's what I said. Elebenty seven years.

KATIE:  Fine. Elebenty whatever. So just how long are you planning on keeping your paw there? Because for the record, mine was here first. And yours is encroaching.

WAFFLES:  Uh, but when a boy cat and a girl cat go out for elebenty seven years –

KATIE:  Go OUT???

WAFFLES:  Yeah, Boss. You know. Like going study and stuff.

KATIE:  You mean going 'steady'? We are NOT going steady, Waffles. 

WAFFLES:  Does that mean we're not going to the first base thing?

KATIE:  What, you mean like baseball?

About Today's SHOCKING Photos

You should have heard Glogirly squealing after she shot these photos this past weekend.

Katie and Waffles HOLDING HANDS??? 

Call CNN!
Call Entertainment Tonight!
Call Jackson Galaxy!

Waffles is fascinated with Katie. He SO wants to engage. After breakfast, Katie trotted over to one of her favorite hang out spots - her big soft pillow by the sliding glass doors. It's one of the few spots Waffles usually lets her be. Until today.

He walked up to her, sat down just at the edge of her pillow and started meowing. Long, extended meows. Slowly he reached out with his right paw towards her. He carefully set it down right on top of her paw and then laid it on the pillow next to hers.

Then came the stare down.

This was one of those moments Glogirly would pay just about any amount of money to be able to read their minds.

And in case you're wondering...

These are actual, untouched photographs. NO photoshop trickery was used. For real.

15 Week Countdown- Week 6: Cat Tax

Welcome to Week 6 of our 15 week countdown to retirement! (Just click over to HERE if you missed the big announcement.) 

Since it's April 15 today, we thought it would be fun to share Ellie and Waffles take on taxes. In between skiing, Glogirly managed to find time to prep all her records for the big tax day and the kitties OF COURSE had to help. 

 Cat Tax Prep

WAFFLES:  Whaddaya mean you can't deduct our toys on your taxes??? 

ELLIE:  Glogirly says that's not how it works, Mr. Waffles. She also said you don't even know what a deduction is.

WAFFLES:  I do too know what a deduct is.

ELLIE:  You mean a deduction? 

WAFFLES:  That's what I said. And our toys should totally be a deduct. And our litter, and our food.

ELLIE:  Glogirly said you also have to pay taxes to claim deductions. Do you pay taxes, Mr. Waffles?

WAFFLES:  PAY?? You mean like with real money and stuff?

WAFFLES:  This whole tax thing is no fun at all. 

15 Week Countdown- Week 5: Face 2 Face

Welcome to Week 4 of our 15 week countdown to retirement! (Just click over to HERE if you missed the big announcement.) 

Last week we shared the arrival of sweet Ellie and her first face-to-face encounter with Waffles. We've often wondered if when Waffles looked at Ellie with eyes as big as saucers, he remembered Katie's glare when he first met her way when he joined the family. What goes around, comes around! 

Here is one of our very first posts with Katie and Waffles. It comes from way back in 2012. FYI-In the beginning we called Waffles, "Waffles Too." Don't let that throw you. We'll have to explain that later! For now, we hope you enjoy Waffles in his fresh kitten cuteness and the shock and awe of Katie.

Face 2 Face

Hi everyone, Katie here.

He's out. Waffles Too has officially come out of the kitten room. After our supervised meet-and-greet I wrote of yesterday, Glogirly & Gloman decided (without my consultation I might add) they saw no reason Waffles Too and I couldn't spend the day together with the run of the townhouse ...under their watchful eyes.

Waffles Too THINKS he can stalk me.

That kitten was EVERYWHERE. I had no idea anything could move that fast. I just sat back and watched the show. It's like watching Animal Planet TV on steroids. Truth be told, it's kind of entertaining. So much so that I haven't even had reason to lower my ears into the aircraft position.

For the most part we kept our distance. But when Waffles Too approached, and crossed that sacred line, I countered with a well articulated hiss.

Only once did the pea eyed monster return fire. He caught on quickly though and began to walk around me, maintaining a 24" no fly zone. 

Stand Off at the OK Wand Toy

Toys. Can you say *AWKWARD?* To Waffles, the world is his toy. This includes all of MY toys. Sometimes the lure of the wand toy causes him to cross the no-fly zone, thus resulting in another hiss exchange.  Waffles doesn't let it get him down though. He doesn't cower into a corner or run for cover. He just hops away and moves on to the next shiny object. He's got chutzpah and the attention span of a gnat. 

Glogirly is home much of the time now, so she's been able to watch Waffles and make sure he doesn't blatantly screw up. When she leaves to get groceries or go to the gym, she puts Waffles back in the Kitten Room. She also puts him back at bedtime. She probably wants to make sure the little monster doesn't attack me in my sleep. For that, I am grateful.

For the most part, this kitten invasion has been turbulence free. The seat belt sign is off and we are now free to walk about the townhouse.  

But Waffles, be careful where you step.

15 Week Countdown - Week 4: Hello Ellie!

Welcome to Week 4 of our 15 week countdown to retirement! (Just click over to HERE if you missed the big announcement.)

We thought it would be super fun to relive the arrival of sweet Ellie. She joined our family in September of 2020 and life has never been the same here in the mountain house. She's still a petite little girl, but oh my...these kitten photos of her are SOOO cute. We can't believe she was ever that small. We hope you enjoy her adoption story and all of her kitteny-cuteness!

Hello ELLIE!

WAFFLES:  Wait a minute...who are YOU???

ELLIE:  I think my name is Ellie. What's your name?

WAFFLES:  I'm confused. Ellie???

ELLIE:  Hi confused. It's nice to meet you! 

WAFFLES:  I mean, I'm, I'm Waffles. 

ELLIE:  You mean like pancakes? You don't smell like pancakes.

WAFFLES:  You really don't smell like pancakes.

Surprise!
Last week we promised you a surprise, and boy do we have a BIG one! ...well, actually she's only three pounds. We're so very happy to introduce you to Ellie, the newest member of our family and our blog. We brought Ellie home on Saturday, September 12. Just like our beloved Katie, Miss Ellie is an anniversary kitty. Glogirly and Gloman celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary and decided it was time. Time to bring a new life into our home, time to share our love, and time to turn Waffles' world upside down!

Ellie has only been with us for 8 days now, and it's safe to say we are ALL in love. Ellie was born on a farm in rural Colorado. A very nice lady who lives on the farm, and who adores cats, knew that she wasn't equipped to care for this tiny kitten and her still-a-kitten mother. She contacted a small, local non-profit organization called The Feline Fix in Commerce City, CO. 

For more than two decades, The Feline Fix has championed the welfare of cats by providing a wellness clinic, spay/neuter services, a humane TNR program, and adopting & fostering. They are Colorado's leading spay/neuter source for free-roaming "community" cats and a significant provider of affordable spay/neuter services. They have spayed/neutered over 42,000 cats at their clinic, preventing the births of hundreds of thousands of unwanted cats in Denver and its surrounding areas. 

Ellie was living in a foster home when we found her online through Petfinder. (The same website we used to find Waffles almost 8 years ago!) Our adoption experience was a unique one given the precautions so many shelters and clinics have in place due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Glogirly filled out her adoption application online, and once it was approved, a Zoom meet-and-greet was set up for Ellie & her foster mom, Glogirly & Gloman, and Nicole, the adoption coordinator from The Feline Fix. 

Before the call, Glogirly was having a very hard time imagining adopting a cat without being able to be with them in person. To hold them, talk to them, and play. She had butterflies in her stomach when the Zoom call started. She and Gloman got to see Ellie interact with her foster mom and play with feathers and red dots. Waffles was sleeping on Gloman's lap during the whole call...it was a family affair! 

It took all of 15 seconds for Glogirly to fall in love and whisper to Gloman, "She's the one...we have to adopt her!" And the very next day, Glogirly and Gloman drove to The Feline Fix to pick up Ellie and bring her home, to her new forever home.

You're probably wondering where her name came from. Her foster name was Ella. Such a pretty name which totally suits her sweet and feminine face, with that beautiful eyeliner! She's SO tiny and cute that we decided to call her Ellie. Miss Ellie Belly. Gloman calls her his sweet little bean. ...like Jelly Bellys.  

One Week Later...
We had no idea how Waffles would take to a new kitten in the family. He has always had a very hard time with new animal smells. In fact, when Katie would go to the vet, Glogiry would have to separate them for a few days after they returned home. Waffles was so sensitive to the unfamiliar smells, it was as if he didn't even recognize Katie.

So we were ready and had our guest room set up for Ellie. Sure enough, there was a lot of hissing, growling, and moaning those first couple of days. Ellie's whole world had changed too. New people, a new environment, and a new cat. While in her foster home, she didn't have any contact with the resident cats in the home. She needed a little time to acclimate and feel safe. We supervised their contact and Glogirly slept in the guest room with Ellie. 

Then something amazing and wonderful and beautiful happened. 

As Waffles became more comfortable with this tiny new kitten, Ellie became more confident and began exploring the whole house. Pretty soon, when the feather toy came out, both Ellie and Waffles were playing. 

Next, they started chasing each other around the house, wrestling like a couple of kids. Waffles has been incredibly gentle with her. It's as if he's aware of his size and strength, and purposely shows Ellie a gentle touch. 

Ellie has discovered a new and SUPER fun toy. An orange striped TAIL!

Waffles' extra-long and wiggly tail is just too much of a temptation for her. But when she chases it, or even catches it, Waffles shows patience and compassion.

Soon, Waffles started sleeping in the guest room. In Ellie's Sleepypod. Usually, while she slept on top of the bed.

And then this happened.

Just eight short days, and they've become BFFs. 

Ellie has found her place in the world. She's such a happy kitten. A lover, a cuddler, and a gamer. She watches Waffles closely and is quick to copy. Once she saw Waffles sleeping on Gloman's lap, she did the same. Once she saw that Waffles sleeps every night in bed with Glogirly and Gloman, she was was right there, all night long.

And for Waffles, it's a whole new world too. Already he has a relationship with Ellie that he's never had with another animal. Katie was incredibly loving too, but she was much more independent and enjoyed Waffles from a distance. Now he has a chance to experience life up close and purrsonal with another kitty. 

Here we go!

We can't wait to share more of Ellie and Waffles' adventures with you!

You may have noticed a new header image on top of our blog page. Little Ellie is in the driver's seat of the Jeep, though she can barely see over the steering wheel!

Check out our new Meet Us page and our new About page for more!

15 Week Countdown - Week 3: We Wear Short Shorts

Welcome to Week 3 of our 15 week countdown to retirement! (Just click over to HERE if you missed the big announcement.) 

Today is a VERY special day at the mountain house. It's Gloman's BIRTHDAY! Each year here on our blog we've tried to do something fun for his big day and our absolute favorite was back in 2016. We were still living in our downtown Minneapolis townhouse. We hope you enjoy our birthday celebration for him. And we apologize for the ear worm you will likely be stuck with once you read it. 

A "We Wear Short Shorts" Birthday

WAFFLES:  Ok Boss, is this where the H goes?

KATIE:  Hurry it up, Waffles. Gloman's coming down the steps any minute. We've got work to do.

WAFFLES:  He's going to be SUPER surprised, isn't he! I bet he doesn't even know I can spell Happy Birthday. 

KATIE:  You can't, Waffles. The sign came already spelled.

WAFFLES:  So how many pairs of shorts did we get him for his birthday?

KATIE:  Enough that we're going to string them all up on this clothesline. Now where's the end?

WAFFLES:  I got it! I got it!

KATIE:  Waffles, it's not a toy. It's a clothesline. Now hand it over.

WAFFLES:  I got it! I got it!

KATIE:  Waffles?!

WAFFLES:  Uh, Boss? I thought you said it wasn't a toy.

WAFFLES:  Boss?

* 60 minutes and an untold number of shorts later*  ...can you find Waffles?

He Wears Short Shorts ♩♫

So you're probably wondering what's up with all these shorts and what looks like laundry day at the Townhouse, right? Well Gloman REALLY needed some new shorts. And you see, he has this thing about shopping. He hates it. So instead of bringing Gloman to the store, we brought the store to Gloman. 

Glogirly went a little crazy and bought a BUNCH of shorts for him to try on. Lots of styles, colors and sizes. This way he could try everything on in the comfort of home in front of the windows for the neighbors to see. Once he chooses his favorites, Glogirly will just return the rest. 

Though we're getting kind of used to having a 100 foot clothesline strung though the house.

We set all of this up early in the morning on his birthday, before he got out of bed. When he came downstairs from the bedroom... SURPRISE!  

So how many pairs of shorts do YOU think he had to try on? 

15 Week Countdown - Week Two: Snowmageddon

Welcome to Week 2 of our 15 week countdown to retirement! (Just click over to HERE if you missed the big announcement last week. 

You may have heard about the snowstorm in the Colorado mountains late last week. It was a BIG one! In fact, the most snow we've gotten in one storm since we moved here. And one of the biggest in decades for Colorado. Would you believe there was so much snow the ski resorts actually CLOSED?! It's been crazy town here, that's for sure.

At the mountain house we got over FOUR FEET.  

So it only made sense to choose one of our favorite snow conversations between Ellie and Waffles for today's post, "Snowmageddon." And because the snow is just so unbelievable, we're sharing a few new photos from the aftermath below.

Snowmageddon

ELLIE:  Mr. Waffles, should we go check out all that snow and stuff, don't cha think? Mr. Waffles??

ELLIE:  Mr. Waffles???

WAFFLES:  Sleeping, Ellie. Sleeping.

ELLIE:  You're sleeping? Are you sure?

WAFFLES:  Barely. 

ELLIE:  Barely sure or barely sleeping?

ELLIE:  The snow, Mr. Waffles. Shouldn't we–

WAFFLES:  Go back to sleep, Ellie. The snow will still be there when we wake up. 

ELLIE:  Promise? 

WAFFLES:  Zzzzzzz....

2024 Snowmageddon - The Aftermath

The infamous driveway! We had to bring in the professionals to help remove all the snow. There was nowhere to push the snow so we hired a very brave guy with a huge blower attachment to a skid steer. While he was working on the road, an avalanche was triggered just in front of our house. All is ok...but WOW!

No one is going to be walking up to our front door anytime soon!

The trees were gorgeous, though some were weighted down with over a foot of snow on the branches!

The view out towards our deck. 

The view FROM our deck. There's a railing in there somewhere! LOL!

This mound is about 7' high.

This is Long's Peak in the way distance. It's the tallest peak in Rocky Mountain National Park and currently covered in white. We can see it from our living room window.

The Internet Challenge

We have a Starlink Satellite on our roof for internet. It's really the only reliable high speed option for where we are located. It's made it trough countless storms and weather events. The dish is even heated so that snow will melt from it. But the 4-6 foot drifts on our roof was no match for it. 

Our neighbor Bob came over to assist while Gloman braved it on top of the roof, clearing a path to the dish and unearthing it so it could once again see the sky.

Glogirly hung out in the snow, helping to supervise the operation.

Here's a view from the roof with Bob and Glogirly watching from below and providing moral support.

SUCCESS! We have internet once again!