Dashing through the . . .

Assured that the Santa Fe roads were clear and free and only rain might fall, Kristen and I set off for Santa Fe on Monday to fetch the feline, Solaan aka "Pippa".  Her registered name is Solaan and her 'call' name is Pippa.  My youngest asked "Why?" and I didn't have a good reason.  When I bred and exhibited dogs, they always had a registered name and a "call" name because the registered name was too long…I mean, can't you imagine going out and calling, "Here Tinas Coma MiFlag's Mischief!"  No, we called him, "Mischief."  And Brierly's Dandy Dancer was, "Jaime"   So our exotic Solaan is "Pippa".  Oh, I promised everyone I'd tell about the 'digs' we were housed in for the trip.  If you have seen those ads for Santa Fe homes, set on a snowy mountain, with Navajo rugs hanging from second story, niches with carved Santos, sculptures and a master bath as big as my bedroom (which is large)…sunken tub AND glassed walk-in shower for two (or six).  Large plasma TV's in each room ~ except the room I assumed was for children, with twin beds and lots of study space.  There were four bedrooms,  two master suites.  The thing that spoiled it was the steep rock stairs up to the house, the living part of the house being on the second story (for the views) and again, stairs to the master suites.   I was about done in by those stairs.  But it was a fun experience and I slept like a log.  Oh, the bedroom had a cozy kiva fireplace, too.   Oh my!  Each home is on a wooded acre lot ~ It is all gaited.  Each home is gaited as well.  (seems a bit redundant)  They probably run about a million each….talk about excess!  The breeder is a nice, typical exotic cat breeder who lives in another such house ~ except she also has these 'cat houses' ~  Kristen went out and saw Daddy (Romeo) and Momma Bengal (Fire).  I'll take her word for it, I was recovering from more stairs at the Cattery. I imagine Allyson wondered if I could even take care of a cat!  But, today I cleaned the litter box and gave her breakfast. That was my promise to DH; I'd take care of the box as long as I could.  Especially since he does not feel well.

The night before we left I had to finish the last bit of the project for BB's Christmas box.  I had the other household's gifts mailed from the vendor; but, BB's had a little more personal involvement.  I will show you the results when Blogger decides to stop rejecting photos that usually just pop up! I'll wait until after the kitten has photos, too…perhaps there will be a plethora of photos, perhaps not.  We shall see.

LATER THIS WEEK; back on the ridge:

DH has been fighting fluid inside and outside of one lung.  The antibiotics haven't touched it; therefore, he has to have further tests.  It is particularly troubling since he had that Aortic valve replacement and I'm very concerned.  The good news he adores the kitty and I haven't seen him smile this much in years.  Pippa is such a little live wire, plays really hard and then just drops in sleep.  Sort of like a 2 year old.  She had her vet check and behaved really well, no wiggling, scratching or growling.  She weighs a bit over 3 lbs.  She ran up and down DH's legs to wake him up this morning.  I had a moments weakness and let her out of her acclimating territory (the covered puppy pen); I fell asleep and she began playing!  We had a time finding her after we'd all awaken.  She was curled up asleep in the puddled silk drapes on the window.  But she didn't shred anything!  Good Pippa.

I heard today on the news that a big storm came into (Santa Fe) northern NM from that California disaster.  I feel so bad about the folks homes filled with mud and debris..and the cars.  It is a terrible thing.  I have yet to hear whether my friends beach house is okay…Last time there was a big, big storm, the neighborhood was threatened but who ever did her lot had the foresight to really reinforce the embankment and cliff down to the beach.  I don't think she'll slide into the ocean.  The fires the last time came quite near her place and they rushed from Palm Springs area to evacuate all they could from the house.  But fortunately, the fires didn't get down that far.  

I had tatting to show you but can't get the uploader to upload, sorry.  You will have to wait!  Also, some lovely tatted gifts in cards, and one of Fox's pics ~ pink with a butterfly.  A very feminine and functional tool.

Health Update:  Nephrologist in Tucson said I have stage 5 renal failure (there are 10 stages).  I continue to be asymptomatic!   Nothing immanent but he did tell me to get my affairs in order.  Which I had done back when I had cancer the second time.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season.  Everyone is home, so there will be five of us for Christmas!   BTW, Leo, the dog just adores and worries over Pippa.  Must be the Sheep dog genes.