Aw thanks Julie - it was so nice to hear from you over Christmas with your
card too!

Sam has passed through an allergic phase and seems to be doing well again -
we've started using the cat wipes, which the boys *can't stand* but seem to
make a real difference for Sam.  They hear the wrapper come off the package
and make time!!!!  We're getting hardwood and other flooring option quotes
right now for his allergies.

Jane has continued to blossom from her freaked out selective mutism to
completely happy and joyful in her Montossori school.  It seems like a
miracle considering she stood rooted to the spot unspeaking for 1 1/2 years
of school before going there.  She's in grade one, is about a hundred feet
tall, and is a Siamese cat in human body.

The boys have been stranded inside for three weeks due to extreme cold (-30
C).  It's been fun to see their transformation from bored cats putting in
their time inside to desperate-to-play kids.  I haven't seen otis play with
the cursor on the computer for just under nine years.  He is such a kitten
now :-)  A fat kitten.  Otis has food issues - he eats when he's bored :-)

OTIS TURNS 9 ON JANUARY 19TH!!!!

I just love my cats so much and they give me such great comfort.  I was up
until 4 AM this AM working on a challenging presentation for my daughter's
school and then got to curl up with the cats for a couple of hours before
getting up again at 6 AM (I now look several decades older than I am).  I
was filled with love and joy as Otis spooned with me and purred and purred
and purred.  I hug him and pet him and he bursts into happy and prolonged
purring and cuddling.  Its such a gift and I am always surprised at how much
joy I find in my cats.  I am ever thankful that I've got him home so many
times.  He is such a troublesome cat :-)

Don't know if you've seen the Ireland pics (lots of kids and beaches) - I
remember chatting on Yahoo with you when Fred decided that our trip was
ill-fated and cancelled it under 12 hours to go.  We finally made it, with
pics on Page 2 at http://community.webshots.com/user/susanmandfredk

Fred gave me a scanner for Christmas so I hope to finally do my albums of
symmetrical cats and cats in baby furniture!!!

How are *you*  and Hobbes and Selens and Lacey doing Julie???

SM

And Julie - have I missed an update on Sam?  I don't see anything else from
you since the 16th.   How is he doing??   I'm lighting my incense and
thinking about him right away.

Susan M
Otis and Chester