Challenge Walk MS

I've been away from posting because Mom and Dad have been busy walking -- first training for a 3-Day, 50-Mile walk, then doing the walk. This is their third year walking in the Challenge Walk MS 3-Day 50-Mile walk. The first two years the event was in Charleston, SC. This year they walked around Savannah, Ga. It was their first time in Savannah so they were very excited to explore a new town.


Mom and Dad walk for their friend Nikki, who was diagnosed with MS about nine years ago. (Well, they started walking for her, now they walk for Nikki and so many others.) Mom got to carry the Challenge Walk flag for a mile of the walk, which really meant a lot.


They had to get up bright and early every morning, beating the sunrise each day. Here's the sunrise at Tybee Island the final day. It was a beautiful place to stay and visit.


Dad met a bunch of cats along the walk. This one was really friendly and Dad got to love on him for a minute while Mom had a blister looked at.


Dad tried to get a good picture, but this was about as good as he could get. This guy was loving the attention, and walking in circles all around Dad asking for some love. He was a mix between my orange and Maggie's tabbiness.


Charleston was more of a dog town, and while there were plenty of dogs along the walk, Savannah felt a lot more like a cat town to Mom and Dad.


There were so many wonderful sights along the walk. This is the historic lighthouse on Tybee.


This is Mom at the final mile of Day One of the walk (21.5 miles the first day). It was a beautiful walk through a canopy of trees. Mom and Dad were told this was in a scene in Forrest Gump. It is the Wormsloe State Park.


There were some zombies at one of the rest stops, too.


The zombies provided "finger food" and brains.


Mom and Dad also saw the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile!


Be careful, because you might get attacked by sharks on Tybee Island!


Dad got attacked twice!


On their way home Mom and Dad found a restaurant for us to visit (if we're ever willing to go for a long car ride).

Challenge Walk MS

In March, Mom and Dad are participating in a three day, 50 mile walk to raise money for MS research. This is a cause that is very near and dear to Mom and Dad because a very good friend of theirs was diagnosed with MS about eight years ago. Mom has been working very hard to get in shape so that she could do an event like this. Today she was able to give away 231 articles of clothing that no longer fit!

The last few years Mom and Dad have walked in a 5K with their friend in Marietta, Georgia. But this time they're going BIG, with 50 miles in Charleston. They have started preparing for the big event by walking when they get a chance, and they have spiffy new shoes, too.

The biggest hurdle for Mom and Dad right now is the fundraising. They each have to raise $1500 to do the walk! Any support you can give will be greatly appreciated. You can DONATE HERE to Dad. (Yeah, the MS Society people think his name is Richard even though he goes by Dean, so don't let it throw you.) Or you can DONATE HERE to Mom.

Dad is trying to figure out some kind of raffle to make the fundraising more exciting. But don't worry, if you donate before he gets the raffle figured out he'll find a way to include you.

Thanks so much for chipping in. Every bit helps. And if you can't donate, then keep them in your thoughts March 1-3. They'll appreciate that too.

Mom and Dad went skydiving

Mom and Dad went sykdiving on Sunday. It was dad's 40th birthday present from back in September, and they happened to schedule it on their 17th wedding anniversary. FYI -- if something happened to them, we would end up with Aunt Tiff. Dad said we'd have to teach her cats how no to hide whenever someone came over to visit. Fortunately, it didn't some to that, but there was a plan.


Here are Mom and Dad in the plane on the way up to 14,000 feet. They look pretty happy for people who are about to jump out of a plane.


This is Mom during her free fall. They go 120 mph during the fall, although they said it feels more like you are flying.


And here is Dad during his free fall. They are nuts, because they are already planning their next jump. But they said it was so much fun, they can't wait to do it again.

I really like to be in high spots, but the top of the stairs or the top of the cabinets will suffice for me. But I'm glad Mom and Dad had fun. And to answer what most people say to Mom: no, she was not scared, and yes, her jump partner was really good looking.

Vicious Elk?

Mom and Dad drove home from Tennessee through the Smoky Mountains and stopped to take some pictures along the way. Mom was hoping to see some bears and had her camera ready. Well, she didn't see any bears, but she did see this...


A vicious elk! I figure since deer are vicious, then this elk is surely vicious too. Dad got out of the car to take some pictures because the battery died in the big camera so he had to get a little closer. The ranger said they should stay 50 yards away, but everyone was about 30 yards away. Close enough, if you ask me.


There was a field full of them at the feet of the mountains, but only the only big male with the rack.


Isn't he magnificent? I wouldn't want to head-butt him.


This is Mom and Dad at the football game. They look happy even though the wrong team was winning (Mom Paula's team). It's just nice to be surrounded by 100,000 friends for a football game.


Mom and Dad love the drive through the Smokies. Dad climbed down to the creek and took this picture with a long exposure to give the cool water effect. He's pretty happy with this one, and lucky to not have a lot of motion because he didn't have a tripod. It looks cold to me.


They also saw a squirrel and took a picture of it for us, because you know how much we all like to keep an eye on the squirrels. The last time Dad tried to take a picture of a squirrel at a park it jumped at him, so Dad was sure to stay back this time.

Happy Cinco de Meow-o

Happy Cinco de Meow-o! Have some catnip and celebrate!


Mom and Dad were in Atlanta last weekend for a very meaningful event -- they do the 5K MS Walk each year to support their dear friend Nikki. This big drooler wasn't with their group, but he was all-in with the walk -- he even had his own t-shirt.


Here's Mom and Dad at the finish line at Marietta Square. They had a farmer's market there too. Mom saw an awesome t-shirt there -- it speaks for itself:

Making Mom and Dad work

Well Mom and Dad are wrapped up in theatre stuff right now. It's closing week at Mom's theatre and Dad's been called in to help backstage. So they get home a little later. But we make sure we still get our Mom and Dad time. We make them work hard when they get home, giving us all kinds of pets and brushes. I'm dealing with a bunch of mats right now so that means extra brushes and attention for me. I don't like the mats, but I do like the attention.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! We are so completely thankful for the amazing friendships we have gained over the years through the cat blogosphere. Y'all are the best -- and I truly mean that. (You know it's true because I broke out the y'all, and I don't do that loosely.) I hope there's plenty of turkey and ham to share at your houses, and that your beans are nice enough to share. If they don't, I say go ahead and help yourself. It is Thanksgiving after all, and you know they'll get tired of the leftovers anyway.

Today is also Mom and Dad's 15th wedding anniversary! So a big purr to Mom and Dad!