The Szramas

Shhhh....I'm taking over while they're not paying attention. They think that I'm just sleeping on the laptop as usual...if they only knew.

Greg and Kendi talk about all their travels. Now it's my turn. The Saturday before Christmas, Paul and Elaine came to see us in the middle of a snow storm. I should have known something was up, but I just enjoyed the extra company and attention. I wasn't sure what to think when they threw me out into the snow on our balcony, but other than being a little cold on my paws, it was awesome. After that Paul and Elaine spent the night, and so I went in and curled up on the couch with them instead of sleeping beside Kendi & Greg like I usually do.

Everyone woke up early Sunday morning, Kendi and Greg debated something for a few minutes, Greg made a phone call, and then we all visited some more. Then Greg and Paul left for a few minutes and came back with my favorite take out food, Chinese. So exciting. Kendi and Greg made me behave, but when the four of them were done eating, Paul snuck me some bits of chicken under the table. (I've got him wrapped around my little paw.) It was then that things started getting weird. As Paul and Elaine got ready to go, Greg just wanted to keep hugging me. I wanted down to say my good byes, but Greg handed me to Kendi, who then handed me back to Greg. Then Greg put me in my carrier. I'm used to that happening after Kendi gets home from work, or when those big green suitcases are getting filled, but I didn't know what to think about that. Soon we were all going to the parking garage and I was buckled into Paul and Elaine's Explorer. Then we left. Greg and Kendi waved, and we left.

Not sure what to think about being taken away in such fashion, I fussed a little for attention. But then I figured, heck, they'll spoil me so what is there to complain about. I curled up on my warm felt blankies and went to sleep. I woke to find that we had stopped for chicken. That's right chicken. Man did it smell good. But then we started driving again, so I waited to see what was going to happen next. Soon we stopped to see Tinka and Jay and their "thinks he's so great" cat Boots. Boots is soooo old. Tinka and Jay gave me a new toy for Christmas. Then we went to Paul and Elaine's house and I got to see Patches again. Patches is old too, and gets a little snippy when I want to play, but she's okay. I like her.

After a week of playing with Patches, Paul and Elaine put me in my carrier and buckled me into their car again. The trip wasn't as long this time. And when I was released, I was at Aunt Linda, Uncle Bob, and Bret's house. Greg and Kendi were there. I was so excited. They had a Christmas tree that I soooo wanted to chew on but Greg and Kendi wouldn't let me. So I played with my new toy and explored while they sat down to eat lunch. Aunt Linda had made something that they all seemed to like for lunch. It smelled like tomato sauce and pasta and veal. It smelled very yummy; but, food comes after exploring in my book. After they finished eating, they exchanged Christmas presents with each other, and I of course used the distraction to try more tree chewing, and then to find a dark place to sleep. Soon I heard Kendi and Bret calling for me, but I was too tired to care, so I curled up under a chair and slept. Greg pulled me out of my slumber a few minutes later, loaded me in my carrier again, and buckled me in our car again. I was so tired. I was not going to let them get away with this easily; so, I decided to let them know that I wanted attention by mewing a bit. I even got out of my carrier for a minute at one point and fell off the back seat before Kendi could zipper me back in. Then I fell asleep. When I woke up because we had stopped somewhere, Greg and Kendi each held me for a few minutes. Then they put me back in the carrier and we traveled some more. Soon, I was released and realized that I was home. Back to my fountain, my litter box, my food bowl...all mine. I cuddled with Greg and Kendi for a day or so, since I did miss them a little; but, they still haven't learn to play like Patches. Maybe next trip...

~Freyja