Vladi & The Catnip Patch

Vladi likes to munch on green stuff when outside.

Recently, he has been sampling catnip.

Mmmm, this is good.

Arrrrrr

Crunch,...

Yum.

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

Feels good on the gums too.


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Vladi Fits In

Being brothers, Tanji and Uschi have a special bond between them: whenever there is a new situation, they are side by side reassuring each other. Occasionally one will seek the other out and give a few licks of "hello." We were not sure how Vladi, being younger and a half-brother, would fit into this equation, but he has formed special bonds with both Tanji and Uschi. Tanji is the play buddy and Uschi is more of a big brother. Vladi has learned how to emulate both: he has picked up speedy chase-and-wrestle moves from Tanji, and has learned how to sit staring at a blade of grass for long periods of time from Uschi. Of course, Vladi is his own man, and assertively seeks attention from both of his big brothers...

Vladi has his own corner of the blanket (a favorite from CNW),
but everyone knows he is going to want more...

Vladi inches sideways,...
"Hiiiiiiiiiii Uschiiii"

Uschi does not look amused.

Kissies! Vladi seems to have the tactic of attacking
his big brothers and then, if they don't run away,
curling up next to them.

Uschi may be thinking about getting away...

but the little warm snow-fluff feels so good!



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Refrigerator Repairmen

"This looks broken..."

Living in a small home, we decide to keep our appliances to a minimum: refrigerator, microwave/oven combo, dishwasher, and Washer/Dryer. We bought all of these new a few years ago when we moved to our new (and basically unfinished) home. We purchased top "quality" brand appliances (Kenmore Elite, GE Profile, Bosch, Whirl-pool Duet). Well, the microwave/oven has never worked quite right, the dishwasher has stopped dispensing soap, and today was the big one: the fridge stopped cooling. Of course this happened on a weekend after business hours. I got on the phone and called Sears customer service, and found out the earliest a repair-person could come out would be Wednesday. So, I decided to take a look. After pulling the fridge away from the wall, I checked to make sure everything was safe for the boys, who were on their way...

Vladi is the first to arrive...

He is absolutely fearless and zipped behind the fridge.

Tanji and Uschi are close behind, their
postures are a little less certain.

Soon all three are in the back offering advice.
Mice have gotten back there through a hole
in the wall, so this smells great to the boys.

"This tag looks O.K.!"

"Yep, the counter is O.K. too!"

Uschi checks out the removed shelves.
"Hey, this is where my open canned food goes!"

I took off the back plate, as Uschi watched intently.
He has always been a good helper.

Vladi is watching me closely too...

"Do you know what you're doing??"

This is new to me Vladi.

Tanji knows better, he's napping next to Les
as she edits these photos.

Later I Googled refrigerator issues, and under
"compressor is on but does not cool" the verdict
is something like you might as well "buy a new fridge."

Uschi's wide eyes sum up our reaction to this news!

The only thing that looks strange is that the
evaporator fan isn't turning fast. It is moving, so it
is getting power/signal. A few sites said this
is typically the problem.

Well this week we are probably going to be visited by
a repairman and/or an appliance delivery man, so
at least the boys will have new adventures! (eek)


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Uschi Is Back!

Over the summer, before Vladi joined us, Uschi was developing a full-blown attitude ("Uschi-tude"). Usch wanted little to do with Tanji (who can be a bit over-eager for play), and was growling and hissing at all of us. Of course it was all show and no go, but we were worried that he wasn't a happy boy.

Then Vladi came home, and Uschi was REALLY annoyed. However, over the past few months, Uschi has reverted back to his sweet-kitten-self. He is playing with Tanji and Vladi every day, occasionally acknowledges that Les exists, and "talks" to me endlessly as we go for our daily walks. This week Uschi started climbing up between Les and me on the couch, sometimes even touching us. Wow!

I've been picking Uschi up more every day (he was getting a bit feral, like the rest of the family), and although he wants to get away, he purrs and kneads like crazy... When I really feel like "messing" with him, I pick him up and hold him on his back.

At first, Uschi is a "little" tense...

Then, I start talking to him...

and Uschi talks right back.


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Birch Climbing

Vladi and birch trees are made for each other.

Vladi must belong in a birch tree forest.

Grrrr,

I like climbing.


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What Goes In,... Must Come Out

The boys always eat grass when outside. A few
minutes later the undigested grass typically re-emerges.

This looks like a good patch of grass,

Mmmm grass.

Ooooo, my stomach feels funny.

I don't feel so good.

Yyyuuuckkk,...

Brrrrrraaaaaappppp,....

Aaaaacckkkk,...

Rrrraaaalllpppphhhh,....

Woooo Hoooo, now I'm ready to fly.


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Uschi's Drainage Ditch

The rains returned early this morning and
washed away last nights snow before we woke.

Our flat yard has standing water all over the
dense clay soil. So far this year, I have hand dug
about 350 feet of two feet deep ditch, for drain tile.

What is this,... ??

Uschi investigates a ditch.
(U loves trenches)

Hmmm, this is new.

What is that over there,....

Wow, more ditch.


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