With the dining room table swallowed up by Mike’s latest project, I settled on the floor as being the perfect place to wrap the kids’ Christmas gifts. Getting into the attic where the gift wrap is kept turned out to be a challenge. Livingston, determined to explore every nook and cranny of our home, has yet to venture into the attic. Once in the attic, open access to the roof through a vent and kitty would go bye-bye. So after a few unsuccessful maneuvers, I managed to get Livingston out of the upstairs bedroom so I could slip into the attic unencumbered.
Once back downstairs, I carefully laid my selected rolls of festive wrap on the floor, tucking a pair of scissors into one of the tubes for safekeeping. Then I went to grab the presents from the bedroom.
By the time I returned, Charlie had invented a new game called- “Sliding gift wrap.” He managed to unroll two of the four rolls of paper. This created a nice tunnel for Shimmer, Trump and Baker. I could see the gift wrap take on a life of it’s own as it wiggled across the floor while the kitties played chase underneath.
Charlie, tired of unrolling gift wrap, turned his attention to the squirming mass of paper and pounced right on top, his claws tearing large, decorative holes in the gift paper. So much for the grandkids not peeking at what Santa brought! Livingston, hearing the rustling noise came running. He too dove straight for the cluster of kittens finding a nice kitten size hole, he vanished from sight.
Soon the living room floor was littered with shreds of paper, sticky bows, and Christmas labels. My scissors had mysteriously disappeared and the cardboard box of packing peanuts had been upended. Magic~ Snow in the living room and the kitties wanted to go sledding! As they slid through the whiteness, popcorn went flying into the air causing another game to erupt. Catch the peanuts and chase them around the floor.
By the time the mess had been cleared up, my floor monitors were tuckered out. I gently removed a shipping label, stuck to Baker’s back that said “Do Not Open Till Christmas,” extricated Charlie out from under one of the cardboard boxes that his friends had graciously trapped him under. When I turned on the vacuum the kittens recovered quickly and scattered in the wind.
I never knew wrapping Christmas gifts could be so entertaining.
Hi there! I found your blog when googling for advice with a rescued feral cat I’m fostering. I love it! Your stories made my laugh, and cry. I can so relate! Our house had its share of strays (animal and human), and once had a “Chewy” experience. Come to think of it, except for a few rodents and the fish, all of our pets were rescues of one sort or another. Keep up the good work – I’ll be visiting often!
Christa
Hi, I’ve been reading your blog for quite a while. I volunteer bottle feeding kittens, and I have my share with feral ands stray cats and kittens. I just wanted to say it’s truly inspirational and heartwarming to see someone spend their time and energy for those who are ill, abandon, or ignored. It always brightens my day to read your blog. I’ll be wishing you luck, anyways I hope you and everyone else have a great hoildays.
Thank you both for your kind comments. And thank you too, for caring for these wonderful creatures that others tend to neglect or abuse.