Just a short note to say hi everyone. Times out here in New Mexico are looking bleak for a few of us. I, along with 129 other people here, was laid off from my job at Cricket on 10/2/02. Crickett isn't doing so hot and they had to let a few folks go. In a way, I am glad! Gives me more time to spend with the fuzzies! Of course with the upcoming holidays - it should prove interesting money wise though! I guess my family was one of the "lucky" ones, as we were fortunate enough to have received a small "nest egg" that will hold us through Christmas. Out here in ABQ - telcom jobs are scarce, so it could take me a while to get another job. So - with all this new time off, I decided to add a couple newbies to our group. After losing Sinbad, the cat without a name, we decided the house was too quiet and added a Mainecoone. He is awesome, and 1.5 years old. Purrs, plays and does "donuts" on everything and everyone, including our favorite little snot, Artemus. But, alas, the house was still too quiet. So off again to the animal shelter where we found a little itty bitty black kitten. Now it is no longer quiet. The ferts absolutley love the kitten, and she loves them. It is quite cute to watch them. My gal fert (Helena) thinks she is the kittens "mommy" and takes very good care of her. She grooms, attacks, plays with and generally "watches" over her like a hawk. I went to give the kitten a bath, which caused her to make horrible "I'm being murdered" shrieks. Helena, promptly ran over to the sink, looked at me, and bit my toe. Hard. Very hard. Blood spurting... kitten shrieking, ferret "attacking" - Mommy dancing......it was one of those days in our house again.....just when I think I can live through this, over struts Jasper - the new cat - (mainecoone). He sat there plaintively yowling while the kitten was screaming, Helena was chewing, Artemus was having hysterical ferret fits of laughter (gee you think ferrets can think? He's next on my list!). Now, this mainecoone kitty can not stand the kitten at all - but when he thought she was being hurt, he came to the rescue. So - between him, and Helena they both sat there, dooking/meowing and winding themselves around my ankles, until I was done with the kitten. Romulous (my GOOD FERRET SON) - was quietly watching this going on......They caused me to stumble twice, stub my toe a number of times, and "high" step to keep from being "eaten" by an angry ferret momma and "adoptive" cat poppa. When bath time was over for the kitten, I took her out and dried her off and went to set her on the floor, with her "mommy". Well, Helena sat there, shrieking at me, as if I was hurting HER - bit my foot one more time for good measure, and husteled her "baby" off for a good "drying" session. She hissed at me one last time, when she went to bed tonite. I wonder if she will ever forgive me? *Hehehe* These guys teach us so much! As for Jasper, he sees me heading for the sink, and he goes looking for the kitten..... It is good to be back in the swing here - I missed reading my daily emails! Hope everyone is doing great! Hug your fuzzables all~ Kim Gorman [Posted in FML issue 3940]